Eric Klay
Eric Klay has been the Principal Bass Trombone of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra since 1977. Prior to this appointment he performed with the Elizabethan Trust Mlebourne Orchestra from 1976 - 77. He studied with Mr Roger Davies at The University of Melbourns, Faculty of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree.
Eric Klay is active in all styles of music, having performed on many jingles, film scores and recordings as well as concert and cabaret shows for Sammy Davis Jnr, Nelson Riddle/Linda Rondstadt, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Debbie Reynolds, John Farnham, Debra Byrne and Anthony Warlow amongst others. From 1979 - 1990 he was a member of the Melbourne Brass Ensemble which toured regularly for Musica Viva, performed numerous broadcasts for ABC radio and released a number of recordings of all Australian compositions. In 1986 he commissioned and gave the first performance of Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra by Paul Sarcich. He appeared as a soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in 1988 for the International Trombone Workshop and in 1995 was invited to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to give masterclasses and a recital, again for the International Trombone Workshop.
In 1996 was guest soloist with the Queensland Symphonic Winds, touring to Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau, once again performing Sarcich's Concerto (re-arranged for wind band).
Eric is a part-time staff member at the Victorian College of the Arts and the Faculty of Music at The University of Melbourne.
Eric Klay performs on a Bach 50B bass trombone with a 1.5 G Bach mouthpiece and a Bach 36 with a Bach 4 mouthpiece.
In 1993 he published the highly successful Daily Exercises for B flat/F Trombone incorporating a new edition of Daily Exercises for Trombone by Richard Macdonald - with a demonstration CD.
Daily Exercises for B flat/F Trombone covers the basics required for successful trombone playing in a clear and concise manner, with special breathing exercises, slow slurs, fast lip flexibility exercises, trills, staccato and legato tonguing, soft and loud playing, alternate positions as well as practising away from the instrument.
The demonstration CD (approx. 65 mins) contains most of the above exercises, including a piano guide for ‘buzzing’. The CD was recorded in a dry acoustic allowing the listener to concentrate on the sound, technique and method of performance.
Book Review Quotes:
‘Many years ago, my father introduced me to Richard MacDonald's famous Daily Exercises for Trombone, last published in 1926, these wonderful exercises had been out of print for 67 years until Melbourne Symphony Bass Trombonist Eric Klay incorporated them complete, in his own Daily Exercises for B flat/F Trombone. This comprehensive text is a thorough treatment of the all too often neglected fundamentals of the trombone. Especially significant is the emphasis on the development of the low register and the good balance of material that the text offers. THIS IS THE BEST BOOK ON THE SUBJECT and one of the few to deal with the control of extreme dynamics. The demonstration CD provides a valuable audio example of much of the text. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS IMPORTANT BOOK.’ (Michael Mulcahy, Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
‘It has obviously been well thought out and is comprehensive in style and content.’
(Alan Jenkins, former tubist, London Symphony Orchestra)
For price and postage details e-mail Move Records.
Eric Klay is featured on the following titles
WindSong
Eric Klay brings his bass trombone centre-stage in a varied selection of stylish classic, contemporary, and big band pieces.
Performer: Bass Trombone, Trombones
Eric Klay also appears on
Tone-stuffs
This CD by the Melbourne Brass Esemble features an interesting and varied program by five Australian composers. The playing is dynamic and accurate; the sound is full and the acoustic of the recording is very true to life.
