About Us
Andy Taylor - PBE founder, bass trombone
After an exciting few years at the Eastman School of Music, Andy detoured to earn his BS CS&Math and pursue a high tech career in computer science winding up at Intel. Andy has studied with John Marcellus (ESM), Mark Lusk (Penn State), Joe Stanko and Perry Martin. He has been mind-numbingly fortunate to perform with Vanessa Williams, Joe Morello, Frank Foster and under the direction of Aaron Copland. He was a performer at the 2017 Pokorny Seminar and principal bass trombone with the Salem Symphony. Today, you can also find him in Rose City Trombones, Vanport Jazz, & Second Wind Jazz Combo. Andy is a member of Oregon Music Educators Association & International Trombone Association. He teaches privately in Portland and free-lances around town on bass and tenor trombone. Jason Elliott - alto & tenor trombone Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in trombone performance from the University of California at Santa Barbara where he studied with Bill Booth of the Los Angeles Opera and Hollywood Bowl Orchestras. In addition to being a founding member of Portlandia Brass Ensemble, Jason is also 2nd Trombonist of the Salem Orchestra and the Principal Trombonist of Willamette Falls Symphony. While enjoying an active freelance schedule performing in a wide variety of genres, ensembles, and recording projects, Jason also teaches privately and works as a solo guest artist clinician, composer, and arranger.nPrevious private teachers include: Bill Booth, Charles Reneau, Dr. Bruce Tychinski, Joseph Alessi, Larry Zalkind, Phil Keen, Sean Reusch, Toby Oft. Kelley Elliott - french horn Kelley received her MM at University of California at Santa Barbara where she studied with Steven Gross. Prior teachers include Warren Gref and Barry Tuckwell. She attended the Barry Tuckwell Institute and toured Australia with the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra. Kelley is principal horn with the Willamette Falls Symphony and Oregon Mahler Festival. She also serves on the boards of directors for both groups. Kelley is a member of the International Horn Society. She teaches privately at her studio in Oregon City. |
John Dover - trumpet
John Dover is an endorsed artist and clinician for Bach trumpets. Through his tenure as a professional musician, he has had the opportunity to work with some of the industries top talents, performing in any genre of music from classical to rock to jazz. John brings his warmth and depth to every stage. As a story teller through sound, John has also ventured into the world of writing with his creation of "Johnny Scotch", a series of comic books and story collections that has inspired it's own Jazz Noir musical show composed by Thomas Barber and performed by John Dover. The Jazz Noir adventures that John shares through his stories tap into the dark and heroic nature of his music. Other projects and performers John has worked with include: Jeff Coffin, Patrick Lamb, The John Dover Quintet, Johnny Scotch and the Rocks, The Choppers Brass Quintet, The High Street Band, The Legacy Big Band, Opera Theater Oregon, The Montana Jazz Collective, David Brothers, Sean Ghazi, Tony Starlight, Bo Ayars, and the list continues to build. As an artist and clinician for Bach Trumpets, John gets the opportunity to share his passion for music with the younger generation through clinics and guest artist appearances as well. Jessica Dover - trumpet Jessica graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy and studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While at SFCO she performed as a soloist throughout San Francisco. Jessica earned a BM – trumpet performance at University of Colorado at Boulder. She has been a past member of the Flatirons, SFCoM Brass and CU Boulder Graduate Brass Quintet. Jessica switched gears to focus on her love of language and has a rich career as a professional certified court and medical Spanish interpreter and translator. She now has her own business as a language professional. She continued to perform as a singer as a member of the Three Ds. Her trumpet teachers include Stanley Friedman (Interlochen), Mario Guarneri (SFCO), Terry Sawchuck (CU), Jon Faddis, and members of the American Brass Quintet (Aspen Music Festival). |
And Then We Were PBE
Separately, we have performed in brass quintets across the country including, the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Maurice Faulkner Brass Quintet, and Redline Brass Quintet. Members of PBE first met while playing in area ensembles including Salem Symphony, Vancouver USA Singers, Oregon Mahler Festival & Rose City Trombones.
We came together to form Portlandia Brass Ensemble both because we love this music, and we were intrigued by a growing trend: In-home concerts. Social concert services* like Groupmuse, Concerts in Your Home, Third Angle Porch Music, Sofarsounds, Folk Alliance International & Loosewig Jazz are making it easy for opt-in audiences to match musical tastes with performers and home hosts. A perfect format for brass chamber music that removes many common barriers to public performances. While we continue to perform at traditional venues, it was this relaxed opportunity to bring chamber music up close and personal that captured our imaginations.
A few words about live music in Covid times: We are all fully vaccinated and boostered. We fully returned to performance in June of 2021. We are available for indoor and outdoor performances, at venues with appropriate audience Covid protocols. Please join us at our events or host us at yours.
We add brass with class to in-home concerts, weddings, winery events, summer in the park, corporate programs, galas, fundraisers, worship services, mini-residency, master classes and educational events.
* Learn more about social concert services
We came together to form Portlandia Brass Ensemble both because we love this music, and we were intrigued by a growing trend: In-home concerts. Social concert services* like Groupmuse, Concerts in Your Home, Third Angle Porch Music, Sofarsounds, Folk Alliance International & Loosewig Jazz are making it easy for opt-in audiences to match musical tastes with performers and home hosts. A perfect format for brass chamber music that removes many common barriers to public performances. While we continue to perform at traditional venues, it was this relaxed opportunity to bring chamber music up close and personal that captured our imaginations.
A few words about live music in Covid times: We are all fully vaccinated and boostered. We fully returned to performance in June of 2021. We are available for indoor and outdoor performances, at venues with appropriate audience Covid protocols. Please join us at our events or host us at yours.
We add brass with class to in-home concerts, weddings, winery events, summer in the park, corporate programs, galas, fundraisers, worship services, mini-residency, master classes and educational events.
* Learn more about social concert services