The Trail Band is an 8-piece ensemble that creates an energetic blend of brass and string arrangements of traditional and original music featuring five great vocalists including Quarterflash's Rindy Ross. Hundreds of public and private appearances across America and Japan, plus 12 successful albums have established The Trail Band as the premiere historic and holiday music ensemble from the Northwest. Cornet, tenor horn, tuba, fiddles, hammer dulcimer, guitars, penny whistle, mandolin, piano, saxophone, spoons, bones, drums, bass, and recorders combine with their rich vocal harmonies to create a diverse tapestry of sound. Formed by Marv Ross in 1991 at the request of the Oregon Trail Council to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the trail, the band initially performed music exclusively from and about the era of the Oregon Trail with costumes, diary readings, traditional folk tunes, marches, hoedowns, and Native American melodies. In 1993 The Trail Band created a new show, Christmas With The Trail Band - a holiday concert reminiscent of the parlour orchestras and townsquare brass bands of the last century. Originally produced as a television special for Oregon Public Broadcasting, this concert has become an annual tradition for thousands of concert-goers in the Northwest for 20 years. "Tidings of Comfort & Joy" is the 12th album released by the band and features 18 live performances, packaged in a special 20th anniversary commemorative booklet with concert photos and bios. Recorded at the intimate Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon, these songs demonstrate the band's impressive proficiency in many styles without losing their distinctive singularity that can ony come from 20+ years of performing and recording together. From the Johnny Cash-inspired, "Christmas Train" to Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" medley to the folk-tinged, "Friendly Beasts" and the Latin "Falton Cinco", this collection covers a lot of ground without the band losing its unique identity. Also, storytellers Cal Scott and Scott Parker add a humorous touch to the album with their self-penned Christmas themed tales. Here's what the critics have said about The Trail Band live performances: "... an absolute must!" Victory Music Review "...sparkling ensemble interplay..." Marty Hughley, The Oregonian "A stellar cast of musicians... delightful arrangements...” Tim Casebeer Willamette Week "...nothing short of remarkable." Nancy Helsabeck, Siuslaw News “The Trail Band sang like angels and played like virtuosos…” Fred Crafts, Eugene Register-Guard "... will perk up your spirits, cause you to dance, and make you feel good to be alive." Sam Richardson, Music Sidelines “In the last of 5 sold-out performances, the eight member group put on an exuberant, classy and wide-ranging display of original tunes and fresh arrangements of traditional folk and acoustic music that delighted the crowd with humor and musicianship.” Lynn Darroch, The Oregonian "One can only express a sort of wonder toward the uniqueness of a band that incorporates antique brass instruments and resounding vocal pitch..." Ryan Parker, The O.S.U. Barometer "The band's music is good-natured, harmonious, and certainly retains it's own individuality." John Foyston, The Oregonian "The Trail Band could be Oregon's happiest musical accident. It was formed specifically to perform during a historical play commemorating the Oregon Trail just for 1993. Luckily for us, the band stayed together, recording eight fine CDs and playing some of the sweetest-sounding traditional and old-time music you're likely to hear anywhere." The Oregonian