Giant Country Horns
Encyclopedia
The Giant Country Horns were a group of musicians who joined rock band Phish
for about twenty shows during the band's 1991 summer tour. The horn section, named after "Giant Country" White Bread, added new arrangements to classic Phish songs including "Suzy Greenberg," "Stash," "Split Open and Melt" and many other originals and cover songs.
The original trio included Dave Grippo (a music teacher from Burlington, Vermont
) on alto saxophone
, Russell Remington on tenor saxophone
, and Carl Gerhard on trumpet
. This lineup can be heard on the album Live Phish Volume 19
, recorded live at the Colonial Theater in Keene, New Hampshire
, on July 12, 1991.
In 1994, a different lineup performed with Phish under the name Cosmic Country Horns for a limited number of shows. In addition to Grippo and Gerhard, this expanded horn section included Joey Somerville Jr. and Michael Ray on trumpet, Chris Peterman on tenor saxophone, Mike Hewitt on baritone saxophone
, and Don Glasgo (a professor at Dartmouth College
) on trombone
. This lineup can be heard on the song "Gumbo" from the platinum selling A Live One
double album.
Members of the Giant Country Horns have appeared as special guests at Phish shows several times since 1991, and Grippo and Gerhard have appeared on a number of other Live Phish Series
releases.
From 2001 through 2004, Grippo and Remington recorded and toured with Trey Anastasio
as members of his first backing band
. In late 2005, Remington joined Anastasio's new backing band
a few months after the outfit debuted. Both Remington and Grippo have performed with Anastasio's latest backing band as well.
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
for about twenty shows during the band's 1991 summer tour. The horn section, named after "Giant Country" White Bread, added new arrangements to classic Phish songs including "Suzy Greenberg," "Stash," "Split Open and Melt" and many other originals and cover songs.
The original trio included Dave Grippo (a music teacher from Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
) on alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
, Russell Remington on tenor saxophone
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
, and Carl Gerhard on trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
. This lineup can be heard on the album Live Phish Volume 19
Live Phish Volume 19
Live Phish Vol. 19 was recorded live at the Colonial Theater in Keene, New Hampshire, on July 12, 1991.This concert was recorded during the middle of the band's 1991 summer tour with the Giant Country Horns - a three-piece horn section that would learn and perform individual sections of Phish songs...
, recorded live at the Colonial Theater in Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
, on July 12, 1991.
In 1994, a different lineup performed with Phish under the name Cosmic Country Horns for a limited number of shows. In addition to Grippo and Gerhard, this expanded horn section included Joey Somerville Jr. and Michael Ray on trumpet, Chris Peterman on tenor saxophone, Mike Hewitt on baritone saxophone
Baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
, and Don Glasgo (a professor at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
) on trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
. This lineup can be heard on the song "Gumbo" from the platinum selling A Live One
A Live One
A Live One is a live album by the American rock band Phish, released on June 27, 1995, by Elektra Records. The album was the Phish's first official live release, and the band's only "traditional" live album, wherein songs from several different shows are compiled into one composite "set"...
double album.
Members of the Giant Country Horns have appeared as special guests at Phish shows several times since 1991, and Grippo and Gerhard have appeared on a number of other Live Phish Series
Live Phish Series
LivePhish is an ongoing series of complete Phish concert recordings. The original twenty-volume series was released by Elektra Records and launched while Phish was on hiatus from recording and touring ....
releases.
From 2001 through 2004, Grippo and Remington recorded and toured with Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
as members of his first backing band
Trey Anastasio (band)
Since 1998, Trey Anastasio, best known from Phish, has toured and recorded with several backup bands, including several side-projects organized and led by the guitarist and composer. While active, his bands did not officially have a name. Fans commonly referred to them as Trey Anastasio Band, or...
. In late 2005, Remington joined Anastasio's new backing band
70 Volt Parade
70 Volt Parade was Trey Anastasio's backing band in 2005, formed after the breakup of Phish in August of the previous year. After writing and recording new material in late 2004 and early 2005, Anastasio began auditioning various musicians for his next project. This band essentially replaced...
a few months after the outfit debuted. Both Remington and Grippo have performed with Anastasio's latest backing band as well.