Verkefnið ber yfirskriftina “Northern Brass Works” og dagskráin mun samanstanda af tónverkum eftir þá Richard, Glen og James og hafa þeir flutt þessa dagskrá víða um Kanada. Richard Gillis hefur, frá því hann kynntist Birni Thoroddsen árið 2000, lagt mikla rækt við sinn íslenska uppruna, en 3 af móður- og föðurforeldrum hans fæddust á Íslandi. Hann er ákaflega fjölhæfur tónlistarmaður og jafnvígur á bæði klassíska tónlist og jazz, – hann hefur leikið mikið með Birni Thoroddsen, gítarleikara og tríóinu Guitar Islancio, en með þeim gerði hann einn geisladisk með íslenskum þjóðlögum, sem kom út í Kanada árið 2003. Hann stjórnaði Stórsveit Reykjavíkur, ásamt þess að sjá um útsetningar, á geisladisknum Rhymes sem hann og Björn Thoroddsen gerðu árið 2010. Richard er prófessor við Tónlisarháskólann í Winnipeg ásamt því að stjórna nokkrum hljómsveitum þar í borg. Tónleikarnir hefjast kl.20.00 og miðasala er á www.tix.is og við innganginn og er miðaverð 2.500,- nánari upplýsingar um verkefnið er á www.jrmusic.is
Richard Gillis studied trumpet at The University of Saskatchewan (B.Mus.), The Banff Centre (Canadian Brass), and The University of Michigan (M.Mus.; DMA), as well as privately with Armando Ghitalla, Vincent Cichowicz and James Stamp. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan Richard performed, toured and recorded with the NewWest Brass Quintet. While working on his DMA Richard had the opportunity to be a part of the University of Michigan faculty brass quintet, with Armando Ghitalla. Since coming to Winnipeg Dr. Gillis has performed with a number of ensembles, the most notable being the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra which he co-founded and has been artistic director of since 1997. Other Winnipeg ensembles Richard has performed with are the U of M Faculty Brass Quintet, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Metalmorphosis Brass Quintet, Music Baroque, Groundswell, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble (which he also conducted in 1991-92), the WSO brass quintet, and the Ron Paley Big Band. Since 2000 Richard has performed internationally with Icelandic guitarist Bjorn Thoroddsen. In addition to their eight CDs and several radio and tv broadcasts, they have performed at jazz festivals and other venues in United States, Iceland and Canada. Highlights include a IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators) Conference performance in January/2003, a performance at Dizzy’s Club (Lincoln Centre, NYC) in October/2006, and a concert in Washington DC (Embassy series) in May/2010. Dr. Gillis is a full professor at the University of Manitoba, where he is chair of the brass department.