One Clear CallNew Music with TubaPaul Archibald interviews tuba player Nick Etheridge about the release of his new solo album, One Clear Call, on the Brass Classics label.

Paul: So tell me Nick, what was the inspiration behind your album?

Nick: I’ve been commissioning and recording new works for my ongoing Tubagility Project and this first album is the culmination of nearly three years work. I love performing new pieces that are satisfying to play and rewarding for a wide audience to listen to, not just brass or tuba players.

Paul: Why is it called One Clear Call and what’s on it?

Nick: One Clear Call is the title track by tuba player and composer Dave Powell. It’s a wonderfully thought provoking work for large brass, organ, and percussion, based on a poem by Tennyson. I feel the title reflects the aspirations of both the music and performances we have recorded for this album.

There are fantastic contributions from over forty professional colleagues, playing masterworks from Shostakovich and Mahler arranged for winds and brass, and an evocative and original composition from composer Benjamin Ellin.

Some tracks are soloistic, others are ensemble pieces and some just pure fun for the players to let rip! The emphasis is on the music, not just the tuba’s ability to be expressive, virtuosic, and blend beautifully into almost any group. This CD is more than just a vehicle for the tuba to perform a series of shoddy flourishes which are of little interest to most people.

The album finishes with a full Big Band romp which includes some of my favourite TV Cop themes from the 1970’s: Jaco Pastorius’ Teen Town and The Green Hornet.

The response from fellow musicians has been of incredible enthusiasm, encouragement and a desire to be involved, from the composers interested in creating challenging new works, to players of large or unusual instruments like timpani, percussion, contrabassoon or harp. I found it a pleasurable and deeply rewarding experience.

Paul: What do you do when not organizing your projects?

Nick: I’m dashing about earning my living as a freelance tuba player! My first job was with the Athens State Orchestras, Greece, which instigated my love of travel. Since then I’ve performed in over forty countries, from the jungles of Thailand and Cambodia, concerts for the Pope, on the Great Wall of China to Live 8 to name but a few.

I’m now based in London and have worked with wonderful orchestras including The Royal Opera & Ballet, Covent Garden, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players and chamber groups such as London Brass, English Brass and

Fine Arts Brass. I’ve also been a loyal member of the Desford Colliery Brass Band, leading the bass section for nearly ten years.

Paul: Finally, what are you planning next?

Nick: I already have an hour of interesting new material to record, including a huge Frank Zappa inspired composition and works from winners of the BBC’s Young Composer of the Year competition. There are also a new Big Band set and colourful new pieces which incorporate Irish whistles, melotron, and even a Rolf Harris Stylophone!, Visit www.Tubagility.co.uk to keep up to date, contact me, or hear tracks from One Clear Call.

27/09/07