Dorival Puccini, Jr. – Trumpet
Bethany Vaughan – Trumpet
Alex Laskey – Horn
Corey Sansolo – Trombone
Serena Voltz – Tuba
Described as “exceptional ambassadors for classical music” and “innovative programmers”, Chicago-based Axiom Brass designs concert experiences for audiences that stretch the imagination and expand sensibilities. Their concert programs regularly pair original works by composers such as Augusta Read Thomas, George Walker, and Joan Tower with early musical translations by Barbara Strozzi, Claudia Francesca Rusca, Leonora Duarte, and rousing tangos by Astor Piazzolla. As strong advocates for the creation and performance of “living music”, the ensemble actively engages with their audiences to showcase the importance of performing the music of living composers.
Axiom has presented concerts all over the world, including the Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, Gallo Center for the Arts in California, Shenzhen Concert Hall in China, and Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis in Portugal.
In 2016, the Chicago-based ensemble commissioned ten new works to celebrate their 10th anniversary, including compositions by Augusta Read Thomas, Liduino Pitombeira, David Faleris, Matt Ulery, and Ben Hjertmann. These compositions can be heard on their album, First Impressions.
In 2021, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, Axiom Brass recorded an entire album showcasing his music entitled Astor, becoming the first brass quintet to record an entire album of Piazzolla’s works.
Axiom Brass continues to push the boundaries of brass chamber music with the creation of the Heavy Metal Suite, premiered on Earth Day 2024 in partnership with the Future Minerals Initiative and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. This two-year collaboration brought together experts from across the mining industry and composers from seven countries, resulting in one of the most ambitious transdisciplinary projects in the history of chamber music.
The only brass ensemble to ever win the Fischoff Educator Award, Axiom creates custom- tailored workshops and residency activities for presenters and their communities. The group’s commitment to education and their interactive teaching style has led to residencies at the Grand Tetons Music Festival and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, as well as being featured as ensemble-in-residence for the National Brass Symposium.
Axiom Brass performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets and Trombones, Conn French Horns and Flugelhorns. and Mutec Mutes.
