Hackney Colliery Band is a brass ensemble based in East London. Historically, a colliery band, most coal mines (also known as collieries) had its own brass band. Its function was simple: to keep the coal miners entertained and out of trouble.
The group has recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, having formed in 2009 and releasing its eponymous debut album in 2011. The debut was the public’s first taste of this genre-bending group, which incorporates percussion and electronics into its traditional brass ethos. The anniversary concert featured work from the band’s latest record, the aptly-titled Collaborations: Volume One. Both the album and concert featured guests like DJ Yoda, Rob Auton, Mulatu Astatke, Tom Rogerson and the Roundhouse Choir.
The group is comprised of Steve Pretty (trumpet & electronics), Ed Ashby (tuba &sousaphone), Luke Christie (drums & percussion), and Olly Blackman (drums & percussion) with Pretty, Christie, and Blackman serving as the band’s primary composers.
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