Brazz Brothers was initiated by the brothers Jarle, Jan Magne and Helge Førde, together with the brothers Runar and Stein Erik Tafjord in 1981 as a pure Brass Quintet. They had played together in «Langevåg Skulekorps». The Førde brothers had already been part of «Ytre Suløens Jassensemble» in 1976 at
Jazz & Heritage Festival in
New Orleans, USA first Norwegian jazz band. After his demise Marcus Lewin from
Eskilstuna, Sweden was asked to be his successor. In the period 1990–1995, they had an extensive tour with the American trumpet star
Lester Bowie. In 1986 The Brazz Brothers started the recording of their first album,
Brazzy Landscapes, the start of a unique music history. The album comprised the band's own compositions and arrangements, with the appearance of the British singer
Phil Minton. The music is a unique mixture of traditional and contemporary jazz combined with traditional folk music from different parts of the world, with strong representation from the Scandinavian folk tradition. The band has released several albums with great legends and also lesser known but highly talented musicians. They have toured both in Norway and internationally, in the US,
Africa,
Asia and large parts of
Europe, and deliver more than 120 concerts a year. All members also conducted a number of solo projects. Many school band members throughout Norway have been acquainted with the group throughout their course in learning to play without notes, which the group holds both for beginners, advanced, professional and music educators both in and out of Norway. == Band members ==