Whit Friday scratch band, Bad Ass Brass is set to make their sixth appearance at this year's Whit Friday contests.

They will also be playing yet another new march arrangement from John Wilson Orchestra trombonist Jon Stokes, maintaining a tradition that has become one of the most popular features of the contests in recent years.

Support

The band will also maintain their admirable support of charitable causes, with the prize money that they win once again going to beneficiaries.

Jim Lynch, who is due to start playing in the London Palladium production of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' next week told 4BR: "In 2017, the prize money went nationwide across some ten different groups, but last year we were able to offer larger sums to three ensembles in Saddleworth and Tameside.

This year we hope to be able to give something back to yet more worthy causes."

This year we hope to be able to give something back to yet more worthy causesJim Lynch

Combos

Bad Ass Brass is made up of a combination of busy London-based professionals and well known brass band performers.

Many are also former players in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, with 'locals' such as Mike Poyser (tuba), from Rochdale, who is an alumnus of Wardle Academy, and Danny Marsden (cornet), who grew up playing at Oldham Music Centre.

"This will be my fourth Whit Friday with the band,"said Danny, another London pro trumpet player who has just finished a European tour with Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman. "I absolutely love this event and always try to keep the date free!"

Other well-known faces from the world of top banding to look out for in this year's band include Martin Britt, Scot Bennett, Josh Cirtina, Jonti Smith, Chris Binns, David Nesbitt-Rex, Shaun Crowther and Lynch's school band friend and fellow 'Sintelliner', George Barker.