Way back in 1992 a small group of slightly nervous amateur musicians assembled in the back of a pub in Pontypridd in the South Wales valleys.  All shared a desire to improve their playing under the expert eye (and ear) of composer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Smith.  The initial series of 10 weekly workshops proved so popular that they have continued to this day. Wonderbrass have outgrown their old rehearsal rooms and now meet every Tuesday at the BBC social club in Cardiff.  We currently have 36 musicians in the band, big really IS beautiful!

Rob was joined by top drummer Mark O'Connor in 1997 and between them they continue to guide the band to ever greater heights, striving to achieve a balance between welcoming new members and keeping the repertoire challenging and the sound unique. Musicians past and present have enjoyed a number of successful and ongoing collaborations with international musicians such as Claude Deppa, King Django, Jason Yarde and South Africa's very own Amampondo.

Expect an intoxicating mix of jazz, Latin, ska and soul; a diverse repertoire including Cannonball Adderley, Abdulah Ibrahim and Madonna whilst indulging in a number of our own compositions along the way. Wonderbrass are not like other bands, although we charge a performance fee, the musicians don't get paid, instead the fees are used to fund tuition costs and projects for the band so that members are able to perform with and learn from top musicians from a variety of backgrounds and genres.  This also means that we play for the love of it, this shows in our enthusiastic performances!

Wonderbrass are always seeking to thrill audiences both at home and abroad, with our unique style that once heard will never be forgotten...