Brass Ackwards is a relatively new group, having been formed in 2023.  We grew out of a group called Horns A Plenty, led for many years by the original founder, Russ Button. Russ retired last year, and the group was reformed under the leadership of Johannes Mager. The name was changed to Brass Ackwards, as was the performance direction of the group.

Johannes’ background as a musician and performer is leading the group to not only give strong musical performances, but to add elements of comedy, physicality and unexpected surprises to every show we do. This ain’t your grandpa’s brass quintet! In fact it’s not even a quintet, it’s a sextet, ‘cause we added a drummer. We also have an unusual instrumentation for a brass quintet/sextet, as we feature 3 trombones and 2 trumpets plus drums. We will, at times, even feature pieces played on the garden hose, Alphorn and watering can.

Our musical styles are eclectic and broad. From Big Band to Beatles, and everything in between.

We even feature an Avant-Garde classic from John Cage, one of the most influential New Music composers of the twentieth century.