REMINISCING This recording is dedicated to the memory of Rolf Smedvig, breakthrough trumpet artist and leader of the legendary chamber ensemble, the Empire Brass. The passing of Rolf in the spring of 2015 caused an outpouring of remembrance for his uniquely beautiful sound and expressive interpretation of the music he concertized and recorded. It was my honor to be a founding member of the Empire Brass with Rolf as we formed from an idea into a global touring/ major label recording career. Of all our activities in the twenty one years I spent with Rolf and the Empire members, our greatest contribution other than in recorded sounds; would be in the pedagogy of brass chamber music that we developed for many years at our Tanglewood Empire Brass Seminar in the summers and in our Boston University Brass Chamber Music Residency during the 9 month school year. Among the individual and chamber ensemble careers that were launched during that important teaching era, Boston Brass was born. Jeff Conner, an original member (and still a driving force 30 years later !) based his whole career on a discussion with Rolf after a Tanglewood coaching when he was an 18 year old student.... " After speaking with Rolf, I knew that's what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I didn't know how I was going to do it, but I was going to figure it out !" With this recording, we offer the listener insights we rediscovered while reminicising about Rolf Smedvig's career and contributions. His friendship with with musicologist John Daverio brought us gems from throughout music history( Couperin, which Empire never recorded but concertized)...our mentor in arranging, Jack Gale, who taught us (among many lessons) that any combination of two of us could make complete music (Gershwin, Bernstein)...Rolf's idea of solo features with chamber quartet accompaniment ( Blue Bells, Sway, Stardust)...and finally, Rolf's willingness to explore musical styles not previously accepted as chamber music repertoire (Bugle Call Rag). Indeed, Boston Brass has forged an authenticity of each style presented with over thirty years of diligent study of all forms, written or improvised , having heeded Rolf Smedvig's vision of the future of Chamber Music. Our recording concludes with Rolf's favorite Bach transcription which we performed on the first ever Empire Brass concert. We, the members of Boston Brass, will always remember that we stand on your shoulders.... R.I.P. Rolf Smedvig.