By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer

Quintessential Brass members (l to r) David Lindsey, Mike Peipman, David Burdett, Leslie Havens and Robin Milinazzo. (Photo/submitted)
Marlborough – Quintessential Brass will kick off the Marlborough Public Library’s 2015-2016 Yacyshyn Concert Series Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. The group of five talented, full-time professional brass musicians will perform a free 90-minute concert at the library’s Bigelow Hall, 35 W. Main St.
Made up entirely of Massachusetts residents, the quintet members are Mike Peipman and David Burdett on trumpet, Robin Milinazzo on horn, David Lindsey on trombone, and Leslie Havens on bass trombone and tuba. According to Havens, their current repertoire includes the music of Henry Mancini, Jason Mraz, John Williams, John Phillip Sousa, Little Feat, Vince Guaraldi, the Beatles, the Big Band Era, the movies “Frozen” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and some popular TV themes.
The musicians have a long list of accomplishments: graduates of the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory; teachers at prestigious prep schools such as Concord and Milton academies; and performers who have accompanied a long list of famous entertainers, such as The Temptations, Natalie Cole, Milton Berle, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck and the Four Seasons.
“We came together by way of other musical groups, which we perform in together,” Havens said. “In Quintessential Brass, we perform a few gigs per month and I think this will be our fourth or fifth concert at the Marlborough Public Library. We enjoy performing there and always get a great, enthusiastic audience.”
Every member of Quintessential Brass has an amazing story, and here are some highlights.
Trumpet player Mike Peipman was born in Australia, and is now a resident of Franklin. He is a jazz soloist, lead trumpeter, recording artist, orchestra member and music festival participant who has played on the soundtrack of several movies.
Trumpet player Dave Burdett of Needham is currently the artistic director of the Boston Brass Ensemble, and has played trumpet in movies, “In the Time of the Butterflies” with Salma Hayek and “Finding Amanda” with Matthew Broderick.
Horn player Robin Milinazzo of Wakefield is an accomplished freelance orchestra member who has toured Japan and the U.S. with the New Sousa Band, and performed with the International Orchestra under the direction of Zubin Mehta, former conductor of the New York Philharmonic.
Trombone player David Lindsey of Randolph, a former teacher at Berklee, has played with Buddy Rich’s band, and performed with and conducted notable stars, including Ray Charles, Mel Torme and Marvin Hamlisch.
Bass trombone and tuba player Leslie Havens of Waltham has performed all over the world. She is a member of the Diva Jazz Orchestra, which has recorded six CDs. She has performed with Aretha Franklin at the Newport Jazz Festival for many years, with Arturo Sandoval at Carnegie Hall, and more.
Now in its 46th season, the Friends of Marlborough Library is presenting Quintessential Brass with support from the Ezra Cutting Trust, The Friends Memorial Fund, the Marlborough Brigham Family Trust, and the Marlborough Cultural Council, which grants state funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.