Westwind Brass performs many styles from many composers, from the rich baroque sonorities of Handel and Bach to the music of other cultures.
Each concert offers a kaleidoscopic set of styles and composers, from the rich Baroque sonorities of Handel and Bach to the music of other cultures. Serious art music including the jazz of Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk are also embraced.
In addition to a varied and expanding concert schedule, Westwind Brass is dedicated to education, having developed programs and master classes for students of all ages. The Grammy-nominated ensemble is in residence at San Diego State University and is on the touring roster of the California Arts Council. The group receives major support from the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
John Wilds (trumpet) is principal trumpet with the San Diego Opera Orchestra and San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and second trumpet with the San Diego Symphony.
Andrew Elstob (trumpet) has performed with Pavarotti, Classics for Kids, the Orchestra de Baja California, and the San Diego Symphony.
Executive Director Barry Toombs (horn) has also performed with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Starlight Musical Theatre, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera Orchestra, Summerfest, and SONOR, the contemporary chamber ensemble at the University of California San Diego. The group also includes David Pollock (trombone) and Brent Dutton (tuba).
In November 2011, the band released Dutton’s World Resounds. Westwind Brass tuba player and artistic director Brent Dutton has composed or arranged a great deal of the music played by the band, and the CD features his take on music from around the world (either arranged, alluded to or imagined) coached in his own personal voice.
Tuba player Bryan Smith, a member of Westwind Brass since 2014 who also served as the Operations Coordinator for Art of Elan, passed away in April 2020.