Shri Sriram and Hammonds Saltaire Band have been enjoying celebrating their success in winning a prestigious British Composers Award for their innovative musical partnership 'Just a Vibration'.

The presentation was made at a high profile awards ceremony in the heart of London this week, where the collaboration took the honours in the 'Wind Band/Brass Band' category.

Critical acclaim

Speaking exclusively to 4BR from Mumbai where he is performing in a huge music festival, Shri told 4BR that he was delighted that the project had gained the award as well as such widespread critical acclaim.

"I'm delighted of course,"he said as he just got off the plane at Mumbai airport.

"This has been a great project and it's such an honour to be recognised on such a prestigious level. I was only disappointed that I couldn't be in London to accept the award on behalf of the band and myself.

I'm even happier for Hammods Saltaire Band though: What a fantastic group of musicians who make such a phenomenal sound!

They have been simply amazing from the very first time I met them — so open to the idea, enthusiastic and understanding. They are some of the finest musicians I have ever worked with: So much credit goes to Morgan Griffiths and his players."

Thanks

Sri also thanked the Arts Council and Brass Bands England who supported the project as well as drummer Marc Layton-Bennett who he said, "…introduced me to the sound of Yorkshire brass."

"There were so many wonderful people involved in the project, so my thanks go to them all — from Supriya Nagarajan and arranger Ben Castle to my partner Shirin Sriram for her patience."

He added: "It's been an amazing achievement — from the very first note we played together to the presentation of the award. Now I'm looking forward to working with Hammonds Saltaire and other brass bands in the future — hopefully all around the world!"

Hammonds thrilled

Meanwhile, Hammonds Saltaire MD Morgan Griffiths added: "It has been a remarkable musical journey for everyone involved. We were thrilled to be asked to be involved and hit it off with Shri and his musicians from the very first time we met up with them.

What a musician he is — a real inspiration to us all. It has been a truly unique experience — made even better by being able to record it, perform it in concerts and in a contest at Brass in Concert and to receive plaudits and support from everyone who has heard it."

They (Hammonds Saltaire) have been simply amazing from the very first time I met them — so open to the idea, enthusiastic and understanding. They are some of the finest musicians I have ever worked withShri Sriram

World class musician

He added: "It has taken nearly three years to get to this stage, but it has been worth every minute and brought the band into contact with new audiences at such event as the Shambala Festival, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and the London Jazz Festival.

It shows what brass bands are capable of achieving when they open their musical minds and link up with world class musicians such as Shri."