The Rome based Italian Brass Band continues to provide audiences with the opportunity to enjoy brass band music in the heart of the Eternal City, with the first concert in their 2026 'Autumn in Brass' series.

Great American Music

Entitled, 'Great American Music' the centrepiece under MD Giuseppe Saggio at the event at the Guido Alessi Music Institute saw them accompany the acclaimed Italian pianist Gianfranco Granata in James Gourlay's arrangement of George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'.

In addition there was the exciting opener, 'Enter the Galaxies' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, Michael Giacchino's 'The Incredibles' and Chick Corea's 'La Fiesta'.

The band's own featured soloist was Fabio Vicrio in 'The Children of Sanchez' whilst upbeat features came with Stan Kenton's 'La Suerto de los Tontos' and the closing Louis Prima classic 'Sing, Sing, Sing'.

Grow in importance

Speaking to 4BR, spokesperson Giovanni Celestino said: "This was our third annual event, and it continues to grow in importance. This time we offered a musical journey through the great American musical tradition with its eras, styles, and key-figures which proved really popular with our audience — many of whom were hearing a brass band for the first time."

He added: "The highlight though was the fantastic performance by Gianfranco Granata of 'Rhapsody in Blue' which was amazing — not only as it was the first time in Italy a brass band has accompanied a piano soloist."

This was our third annual event, and it continues to grow in importanceItalian Brass Band

Further promotions

Boosted by their first ever top-10 finish at the European Championships in Linz earlier this year over the coming months the 'Autumn in Brass' series will see the band involved in numerous concerts and training masterclasses aiming to further promote brass band music across Italy.