Toby Fairchild

The Beltway Brass Quintet is a project group led by Zachary Smith of the nationally acclaimed Dixie Power Trio. The members of the quintet reside in the Washington, D.C. area and quite frequently spend hours slogging around I-495, D.C.’s infamous beltway. It was on this stretch of highway that the idea for the Beltway Brass was conceived in 2003. The repertoire for the quintet is unusual in its phasis on Twentieth Century jazz harmonies and stylings. Zachary Smith, Chas Peterson, and Tom Holtz have written most of the arrangements for the group. Each player in the ensemble has a background rooted more in commercial playing than classical. This allows th to incorporate jazz technique such as improvising into their performances. The group is currently working on their next recording, which will feature Church hymns and Spirituals. Personnel: Zachary Smith- Trumpet Charlie Peterson- Trumpet Merry Beth Hall- French Horn Dan "Big Daddy" Haverstock- trombone Tom Holtz- tuba