A brief history of Redbridge Brass...

Formed by John Ridgeon under the name Redbridge Brass Ensemble, the band actually started life as
part of the Redbridge Music School (in the London Borough of Redbridge) and was the top band of four
at that time. The band started entering contests as 'Redbridge Youth' and in 1970 became National
Youth Champions of Great Britain, then won the 3rd Section National Finals in 1971 and in 1972 came
3rd at the Grand Shield Spring Contest, an astounding performance for a youth band! As an added
accolade the band gave the first performance of 'Intrada' by Edward Gregson at the London Festival, a
commission by the borough, with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain.

The band members being too old to remain in the music school reformed as Redbridge Brass Ensemble
in 1972 after being promoted to the 2nd Section. Most of the players were taught by John Ridgeon in the
use of his own brass playing technique. The fantastic sound that this produced and talent of those young
musicians was captured on an LP recording called 'The Redbridge Phenomenon'.

After several changes of leadership, one of whom was Ray Farr, the band again won the 2nd Section
Area title in 1985 (and came 4th in the Finals) under the baton of Graham Chambers. Shortly afterwards
the band entered the top level Championship Section in 1986 where it has remained ever since.

In 1988 the band won the Area title and gained some sponsorship under the name 'London Electricity
Redbridge Brass' until 1993 when the band's name became 'Redbridge Brass' to the present day.

The band won the Area title twice more under the direction of John Clarke in 1991 and 1992, and
produced a ground breaking CD called 'Close Enough for Jazz' in 1994.
Graham Wilson conducted the band in 1996-97 and led them to two Area title wins. Then in 1998 Melvin
White became the band's MD and stayed with the band until 2007, the longest tenure of all the band's
conductors. In that period the band achieved five Area wins, four of which were in succession (2002-5), a
feat not achieved by any other band in the Area contest, ever. The band also recorded a triple CD of
marches, show music and film themes, which has proved very popular indeed.

In 2008 the band win the Area contest under the baton of Rob Wiffin, and have high profile performances
in Trafalgar Square and Dubai. Then with the arrival of new MD, Jeremy Wise the band gained a
personal best at both the Grand Shield Spring Contest in Blackpool and at the invite only All England
International Masters contest held in Cambridge's Corn Exchange (also the highest placing any London
and Southern Counties Area band has achieved in this contest so far). Rounding off the 2008 summer
the band had a debut at the Glastonbury Festival in front of 40,000 people on the 'Other Stage' with
chart band 'Hot Chip'.

2009 sees the band win the prestigious Mineworkers Open National Brass Band Festival and again win
the Area contest. With good results in 2010, and 2011 (3rd and 4th) at this contest the band regularly out
performs its rivals with consistent and fine performances, earning praise from adjudicators, composers
and other MDs too.

In 2014 Alan Duguid joins the band as MD.