Canadian trumpeter/composer Dean McNeill has composed and arranged music for ensembles of note both large and small. His award-winning large jazz ensemble arrangements have been performed worldwide. As a jazz trumpeter Dean has performed with the Banff Centre Jazz Orchestra, Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Blue Bonnet Brass in Texas, the Birth of the Cool Repertoire Project, Kenny Wheeler, Pat LaBarbera, P.J. Perry, Bobby Caldwell, the Tommy Banks Big Band and Combo, Dee Daniels, among others.
The Prairie Fire CD showcases McNeill's compositional style for large jazz ensemble as played by an all-star All-Canadian large jazz ensemble comprised of top-notch musicians from across the country.
Prairie Fire Ensemble Membership: (born/residing)
Alto Sax: Campbell Ryga (Edmonton, Alberta/Cloverdale, British Columbia)
Alto Sax: Mark DeJong (Calgary, Alberta/Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Tenor Sax: Kelly Jefferson (Regina, Saskatchewan/Uxbridge, Ontario)
Tenor Sax: Greg Gatien (Halifax, Nova Scotia/Brandon, Manitoba)
Bari Sax: Keith Kurshell (Winnipeg/Manitoba/Calgary Alberta)
Lead Trumpet: Mike Herriott (London, England/Toronto, Ontario)
Trumpet: Bill Mahar (Halifax Nova Scotia/Montreal, Quebec)
Trumpet: Brian O’Kane (North Bay, Ontario/Toronto, Ontario)
Trumpet: John McLeod (Toronto, Ontario/Toronto, Ontario)
Trumpet: Dean McNeill (Edmonton, Alberta/Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Lead Trombone: Rob Somerville (Mount Hope, Ontario/Burlington, Ontario)
Trombone: Hugh Fraser (Victoria, British Columbia/Victoria, British Columbia)
Trombone: Barb Hamilton (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan/Montreal, Quebec)
Bass Trombone: Dawn McLean-Belyk (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan/Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Guitar: Mike Rud (Edmonton, Alberta/Ottawa, Ontario)
Piano: Tom Van Setters (Montreal, Quebec/Brandon, Manitoba)
Bass: Mike Downes (Fort William, Ontario/Toronto, Ontario)
Drums: Ted Warren (Regina, Saskatchewan/Guelph, Ontario)
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