FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION:

“Way Up” by Wild Iris Brass Band

 
 
 

BEST REGIONAL ROOTS ALBUM
“WAY UP”

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPELLA
“THE SLOW EXPRESS”

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS
“WE’RE THE WILD IRIS”


Featuring:

 
 

THE WILD IRIS:
Jeff Coffin - tenor sax, soprano sax, bari sax, electro-sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
Ray Mason - trombone
Emmanuel Echem - trumpet
Jovan Quallo - alto sax
Neil Konouchi - sousaphone
Justin Amaral - drums, percussion
Ryoko Suzuki - tambourine

SPECIAL GUESTS:
Bela Fleck - banjo (The Slow Express)
Steven Bernstein - electric slide trumpet (We’re The Wild Iris)
Bernardo Aguiar - Brasilian percussion (To The Bone)
Bob Lanzetti - guitar (Eye Of The Cyclops)
Weedie Braimah - djembe, congas (Eye of The Cyclops)
Vocals: The Wild Iris, additional vocal guest on Let It Slide Yuko Bannai

 


Praise for “Way Up”:

“Contrary to the wildness in their name, this totally professional, polished-sounding band plays meticulous arrangements of tunes of all genres…the whold album offers an element of irresistible, fun.”
Victoria Kingham, Jazzwise ☆☆☆☆
https://www.jazzwise.com/review/the-wild-iris-brass-band-way-up

“The Wild Iris plays fun, big-hearted music with a groove so deep, you’ve got no choice but to smile, tap your foot and get up and dance. The horn arrangements are tight with plenty of surprises…Top to bottom, front to back, Way Up is way fun, packed with great arrangements, tight group work, amazing solos and a lotta smiles.”
Frank Alkyer, Downbeat 4.5/5
https://downbeat.com/reviews/detail/way-up

“This album is a really fun debut that leaves the listener wanting more… a group that shows it is certainly worthy of carrying on a New Orleans tradition in Tennessee.”
Tom Henry, The Blade
https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2025/08/14/review-wild-iris-bass-brand-debut-offers-lovely-joyful-recording/stories/20250813007

 

ALBUM NOTES:

01) We’re the Wild Iris [4:13]

Composed by Jeff Coffin & Ray Mason

Published by Otani Music (BMI) & MONDOMONDOINC (ASCAP)

Featuring: Steven Bernstein (electric slide trumpet)

02) 9 to 5 [4:36]

Composed by Dolly Parton

Published by Sony/ATV Countryside o/b/o Velvet Apple Music

03) Eye of the Cyclops [6:17]

Composed by Jeff Coffin

Published by Otani Music (BMI)

Featuring: Bob Lanzetti (guitar), Weedie Braimah (djembe, congas)

04) Bramble Ramble [4:52]

Composed by Jeff Coffin

Published by Otani Music (BMI)

05) Steppin’ Up [4:19]

Composed by Jeff Coffin

Published by Otani Music (BMI)

06) The Slow Express [5:20]

Composed by Jeff Coffin

Published by Otani Music (BMI)

Featuring: Bela Fleck (banjo)

07) Let It Slide [3:25]

Composed by Jeff Coffin & Ray Mason

Published by Otani Music (BMI) & MONDOMONDOINC (ASCAP)

08) To The Bone [5:48]

Composed by Ray Mason & Jeff Coffin

Published by MONDOMONDOINC (ASCAP) & Otani Music (BMI)

Featuring: Bernardo Aguiar (Brasilian percussion)

RECORDING INFO:

Produced by Jeff Coffin & Ray Mason

Recorded by Jeff Coffin @ iTA Studios, Nashville, TN

Mixed by Reid Leslie @ Summit Sound Studio

Mastered by Nate Wood @ Kerseboom Mastering