Seven LIPA brass players to perform with Elvis Costello

A LIPA horn section, made up of graduates and students, is to perform with Elvis Costello on his upcoming UK tour.  

The Septet, which includes trumpet, flugel horn, French horn, sousaphone and saxophones, will appear with Elvis at the Liverpool Olympia and one of his London Palladium shows.  

The stripped back gigs, where Elvis is joined by his long-term collaborator, pianist Steve Nieve, will feature a selection of songs from Elvis’ 50-year career. The LIPA horn section will join him for the show’s finale, playing specially created arrangements.   

The collaboration follows a direct approach to LIPA’s Martin Isherwood, Director of the School of Music, from Elvis. Music student Dan Edwards, who’s about to start his second year, will be playing French horn. He says he couldn’t believe it when he was approached. “I was chatting to Martin in the canteen, and he said he might have a gig opportunity for me.  When he said it was with Costello, I said ‘Oh, like a tribute band?’ He just said, ‘No, the Elvis Costello.  

“It’s not really sunk in yet that I’m going to be playing with him. I don’t think it will until I’m in the rehearsal room with him.”    

Dan, whose primary instrument at LIPA is trumpet, is a big fan of Elvis Costello. “Elvis occupies his own space in music. You know instantly it’s him as soon as you hear him. He’s just one of the coolest people in the music business, he’s unique.”  

Costello and Nieve perform with the LIPA horn section at Liverpool Olympia on 11 September and The London Palladium on 21 September.  

Find out more about the Costello and Nieve Concert Tour

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 Image: Brian Roberts