Belgium Performance

Les has just returned from Belgium after a fantastic trip performing with the current National Champions of Belgium, Brass Band Buizingen.

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Double Trouble Launch CD

World of Brass will be hosting a launch event for the new CD “Double Trouble” featuring Les, James Gourlay, Tubalate and the Fodens Band The event will be happening as part of this weekends RNCM Festival of Brass and will be on Saturday, 5:30 in the Studio Theatre

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"New release from Les and James Gourlay"

The production of Double Trouble celebrates what can be achieved when true collaboration across musical genres, composers and performers is allowed to develop and blossom.

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"Neish celebrates hat-trick of awards!! "

Tuba star Les Neish capped off a fantastic 2009 scooping 3 awards for his debut release “Salt of the Earth” 

It has been a hectic year for Les which has seen him in many countries all over the world, starting off in the Cayman Islands in January and finishing up in Tuscany at the house of pop star “Sting” working on a track for his album “If on a Winter’s Night” 

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"Brass for Africa Review "

It is rare that an event brings together so many of the brass band world’s finest musicians to play as a group as Brass for Africa did in Kettering on 28th November. All organised to support the worthy cause of young Kettering Salvationists going to Africa next year to undertake community activities and run The Salvation Army’s music school there, the concert provided a veritable feast of music-making with a mind-boggling line-up of soloists.

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Clean sweep for Egon, Fodens and Les!!

World of Brass, a trading brand of Salvation Army Trading Company, is pleased to announce that Maestro and Salt of the Earth have been named ‘CD of the Year 2009’ and ‘Solo CD of the Year 2009’ respectively by British Bandsman and Brass Band World magazines.  

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Salt of the Earth scoops the awards!!

Salt of the Earth, the debut solo release from tuba artist Les Neish has scooped two solo CD awards from Brass Band World and British Bandsman.

Released in October 2009, this disc is one of two halves, the first accompanied by pianist Martyn Parkes comprising mainly recital pieces, the second featuring specially commissioned repertoire accompanied by Foden’s Band.

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PR - Radio 3

Les has been extremely busy recently promoting his new CD “Salt of the Earth”.  It is receiving great reviews all over the world and must have impressed a few people at BBC Radio 3 too.

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Fodens section scoop best bass award!!

For the second year in succession the tuba section of Fodens Band has picked up the Best Bass section award at the Brass in Concert Contest.

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" Fodens end the contest year with a victory at 'Brass in Concert "

On the 15th November Fodens band became the 'Brass in Concert Champions' which was held at the 'Sage' concert hall in Gateshead.

The contest featured 12 of the countries leading brass bands including the current American entertainment champions 'Fountain City Brass.'  Entry to the contest is by invitation.

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" Just another average few weeks for Les "

Well, time doesn’t go by without there being lots to do for Les!!!

If you read any of the brass publications around the UK and online, it is clear to see that Les sure has been a very busy tuba player!!

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"Salt of the Earth Review by the British Bandsman "

This latest CD from Les is a wonderful offering from a man with a mission. The glowing endorsements of
Stephanie Hughes and Bramwell Tovey in the sleeve notes very much set the scene, and the musical results are unlikely to disappoint you.

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"Student Success "

Les is a member of staff at the Junior RNCM in Manchester.  As a past member of the Junior RNCM, Les is glad that he gets the opportunity to be teaching tuba and coaching ensembles on a Saturday morning at the RNCM.  One of his pupils, Toby Butt, from Oldham has recently had great success in a competition called “Future Champions” Here is what Toby has to say about the competition

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"Kingdom Youth Brass Initiative "

Les has had a busy summer already this year, with a course down in Wessex and then tutoring the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland in St Andrews.

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"Brass for Africa "

Les will be guesting as a soloist on Saturday 28 November at Kettering, in a spectacular evening of music for all tastes, featuring world class musical talent - this is not to be missed.

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"Salt of the Earth is complete!! "

Salt of the Earth is now complete and the release date of this disc is now very close.  Les has been featured as a soloist on many CD’s but this is his debut solo release. 

Many people have now heard of the popular Andy Scott work “Salt of the Earth” and it is no surprise to see that this is the CD’s title track!!

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"Ruthin Town Band "

Slow Melody contest marks the reform of the Ruthin Town Band.

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"Maestro Reviewed"

Judging by this review it certainly looks like Maestro is sure to be a CD in most people’s collections!! 

Click here to read full review.....

"Back from Barcelona"

Les has just returned from a fabulous trip to Barcelona with the Wind Orchestra of Sheffield University.  The tour included 3 concerts with Les performing the Martin Ellerby Tuba Concerto and Carnival of Venice

To see pictures from the tour, click here

To view a video of Carnival of Venice recorded at the final concert, click here

"Maestro” CD available from May 1st"

From Carl Woodman,  SP and S
It is my pleasure to send you news of an exciting new recording from Foden's Band, the current British Open Brass Band Champions, on the EGON label. Maestro features entirely compositions by Bramwell Tovey, with the composer himself conducting.

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"Patron’s II released"

The Fodens band has recently released the second of their Patron’s choice series of recordings.  Dedicated to Band's President, Peter Fletcher, the CD features a variety of works for band.  The disc includes many of the bands soloists, including Glyn Williams, Mark Wilkinson, Helen Williams, Mark Landon and Les, playing Leslie Condon’s Celestial Morn.

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"Salt of the Earth – Now available"

“Salt of the Earth” Andy Scott
Composed by Andy Scott for Les and the Fodens Band with funds made available from the BBC Fame Academy Education Bursary, and the Worshipful Company of Musicians, in recognition of the composer's success in winning the award in the Wind Band & Brass Band section of the 2006 British Composer Awards. The World Premiere performance was given by Leslie Neish and Fodens Band on Sunday 27th January 2008 at the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass, Manchester UK.

The solo part for this concerto is now available from www.astute-music.com/  Check this out and have a go!!

"Les with Enfield Band - Concert Review"

After a successful concert with Enfield Citadel Band, here is the review taken from the British Bandsman

"On Saturday 14th March, Enfield Citadel Band travelled from its North London home to the Cheshire town of Crewe for an evening of quality music making.

A guest soloist for the evening was tuba virtuoso, Leslie Neish, who attends The Salvation Army at Crewe along with his fiance, Debbie.. Click here for more.....

“ENFIELD CITADEL HAVE A NEISH AT CREWE”

On Saturday 14th March, Enfield Citadel Band are to perform a concert for the Salvation Army in Crewe.

As one of the most travelled Salvation Army bands in the world, Enfield Citadel Band travel around the country every month performing concerts and festivals as well as an active weekly ministry at the Corps and local North London area. Click here for more.....

“Neish teams up with teacher and mentor”

At the end of February, Les completed a recording with his mentor, the tuba virtuoso James Gourlay.  The CD will feature the works of Andy Scott and Barbara Thompson and will also include the Fodens Band and Tubalaté.
It was a great pleasure for Les to be in the recording studio with his teacher and such a great musician.  The CD due for release in January 2010 will certainly be one to watch out for!! 

For more info, check it out on  http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=9529

“Brass Band of Battle Creek – Next Concert”

The Brass band of Battle Creek will be performing next on March 28th at the W.K Kellogg Auditorium, Battle Creek, Michigan.  The band will have it’s usual high class line up of stars and it will certainly be a fantastic evening!!!!

For more info go to www.bbbc.net