SonoKlect: Matt Niess and The Capitol Bones All Brass Big-Band

Matt Niess and The Capitol Bones All Brass Big-Band

Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8 pm
Wilson Concert Hall/Wilson Hall/Lenfest Center
No tickets are required.Capitol Bones Bring Bold All-Brass Big Band Sound to W&L

The SonoKlect Series at Washington and Lee University will present Matt Niess and The Capitol Bones All-Brass Big Band in concert on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall, Wilson Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A reception follows the performance.

The program will include two works by local composer and series director Terry Vosbein, marking the continuation of a long-standing artistic collaboration between Vosbein and Niess.

"When I first heard this band they blew me away. I knew I had to bring them to Lexington," said Vosbein.

Founded in 1990 by trombonist Dr. Matt Niess, The Capitol Bones are acclaimed for their bold sound and unique instrumentation. While modeled after a traditional jazz big band, the group sets itself apart with a mellophone section-four mellophones in place of saxophones-creating a distinctive timbre that blends the brilliance of trumpets with the warmth of trombones.

Vosbein, who has been writing big band music for more than five decades, has developed a national reputation for his inventive, richly orchestrated works. His partnership with The Capitol Bones reflects both his personal enthusiasm for the ensemble and the SonoKlect Series' mission to present cutting-edge contemporary music to the Lexington community.

The Capitol Bones have performed at the Kennedy Center, the International Trombone Festival, and venues across the country, earning praise for their innovative approach to the brass tradition.

"I love being able to bring new musical experiences to Lexington audiences," Vosbein added. "It excites me to see the smiles on their faces."

Ticket Information

Showtimes: Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8 pm

Where: Wilson Concert Hall

No tickets are required.