Brassed Up! Rural Touring & Music Club show with Iain Jackson.

“James performed a concert for us yesterday and it was superb!
The audience were enthralled and raving about it afterwards.
He is a brilliant musician and this is a unique presentation”


Tish Nicoll – Organiser, Chipping Norton Festival

“James is a musician of rare qualities. His infectious enthusiasm, musical artistry and 
consummate professionalism are skills possessed by only the best of the best.”


Roger Webster – International Cornet & Trumpet Soloist

“Has to be seen and heard to be believed. James Stretton is a rare talent whose passion for brass playing is infectious. Whether as an educationalist or as a performer on stage he will never disappoint. The world of brass in one man – incredible!”


Steven Mead – International Euphonium Soloist (www.euphonium.net)

“Before Highlights touring stated coming to our tiny hamlet of Rennington their wasn’t a great deal to clap and whoop about so last Saturday it was fantastic to have James and Iain in the village hall with their fantastic Brassed Up! show….much to clap and whoop at indeed for the audience that aged from 6 years of age to 80+ Thanks guys….
very impressive night of entertainment!!

Ian Brown – Rennington Village Hall Promoter, Northumbria

“Hey Jim & Iain. Love the video which brings great memories of a fantastic night in Ireshopeburn. Great music, a bundle of laughs and most educational too. What a night !! Keep up the terrific performances, and I know lots of people would love to see you back in Weardale. Huge thanks to Highlights Rural Tour for making it possible for these inspirational guys to entertain us in our village Hall. Simply fabulous. “

Steve Roberts (Highlights coordinator for Ireshopeburn Literary Institute)

“I and my 15 year old son went to the Brassed Up gig at Ireshopeburn  
last night.

It was undoubtedly a real highlight and an absolutely fabulous and  astonishing night of entertainment.
Thanks ever so much for the work you do in helping to bring such  
fantastic entertainment to our local communities.”




Keith Newby

” This dynamic and multi-talented duo kept us entertained for two hours with their exquisite music and ready humour. It seems incredible that James can move so slickly between 13 instruments within the course of one piece and seamlessly hit all the right notes for the audience.  It just inspired the rest of us to go home and do some more practice!” 

Sarah Bourne

“ Brassed Up! was a great hit at our promoter menu launch. In 15 short minutes James & Iain showed their consummate musicianship, humour and a dash of very well received audience participation. James’ presentation style is informal, engaging and witty and I am sure promoters will be requesting their show”

Sian Kerry – Arts Alive

“A fabulous journey through the history of brass playing.  Funny, entertaining, educational
and above all, plain and simple good music”.

Chris Kirkwood Northants Touring Arts

“James, achieves the apparently impossible ……….
This is a rare talent which I confess I have never seen before at this level.”

Denis Wick – International Brass Luminary