DALLAS TWP. — White sneakers with black tuxedos?

For anyone else, it might seem like a fashion faux pas.

But for members of the Canadian Brass, it’s a signature statement that started years ago when the group slipped into Capezio jazz/ballet slippers and played some ballet music.

“Everybody mistook them for sneakers,” trumpet player Chris Coletti said in a telephone interview. “And everyone liked it so much it became a trademark.”

The group eventually exchanged the Capezio slippers for real sneakers, and that’s what Coletti and the other four musicians will wear on April 18 when the Canadian Brass performs a concert at Misericordia University.

With founder Chuck Daellenbach on tuba, Achilles Liarmakopoulos on trombone, Bernhard Scully on horn and Caleb Hudson and Coletti on trumpets, Canadian Brass is well-known for playing many genres of music, from Baroque to Dixieland to classical, jazz, religious and show tunes.

“Renaissance music is how we like to start off,” Coletti said. “It’s the first music that was intended to by played by instruments instead of sung — and it’s still catchy after all these years.”

The concert wouldn’t be complete without some Baroque music, Coletti said, adding that his favorite composer from that period is Bach.

“Johann Sebastian Bach is the king of Baroque music,” he said. “Bach’s compositions are so brilliant on so many levels. There are layers you can constantly uncover, even if you’ve played the same piece for 30 years. It’s almost other-worldly. It’s like an alien came to earth and wrote music on a higher level than anyone before or after. At the same time, it’s so human and so relatable.”

The Misericordia audience also can expect to hear some music from the Canadian Brass’ newest album, “Perfect Landing,” which is a sequel to a previous album called “Take Flight.”

During the 45 years since its founding, the Canadian Brass has performed in major concert halls around the world, sold more than 2 million albums, and created nearly 600 new works and arrangements. The group also has the honor of being “the Canadian government’s go-to ensemble for official state events.”

That doesn’t mean all the members are from Canada, Coletti said, because several are from the United States. “We’re as Canadian as Michael Jordan is from Chicago.”

Wearing white sneakers and black tuxedos has become Canadian Brass’ trademark style.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_brass.canadian.jpgWearing white sneakers and black tuxedos has become Canadian Brass’ trademark style. Submitted photo

The Canadian Brass will put on a concert at Misericordia University on April 18.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_canadianbrass.jpgThe Canadian Brass will put on a concert at Misericordia University on April 18. Submitted photo
Canadian Brassbringing varietyto local concert

By Mary Therese Biebel

mbiebel@timesleader.com

IF YOU GO

What: Canadian Brass

Where: Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hall, Misericordia University, Lake Street, Dallas Township

When: 7:30 p.m. April 18

Tickets: $30 for premium seating, which includes wine and cheese reception prior to show; $20 general admission

Box office: 570-674-6719 or misericordia.edu/theartsandmore

Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT.