We are an 8 piece group of seasoned pros and young, new talent, held together by the heavy bass of the marching sousaphone. The horn section is comprised of bari, tenor and alto saxophones, trumpet and trombone. Our percussion section is a tight snare and bass-drum duo.

The Band
Aden Harrell: Bari sax, vocals ... and high energy!
OJ Blackwell: Trumpet
Matt White: Tenor sax
John Brady: Trombone
Kevin Dykstra: Snare drum
Adam Randall: Bass drum
Steve Glen: Sousaphone
Brynn Rector: Trumpet

Aden Harrell (band leader, bari sax, vocals, dance moves) was born in Longmont, Colorado and he's got something to put in your ear. He has been playing saxophone for over twenty years, having humble origins singing and playing in church. Aden brings his positive and in-your-face energy to front the O-Tone band and has been known to get on the mic on occasion! Other local bands you might find Aden lending his sound to are the Good News Blues Band, Irie Still, Abundant Life Worship Team, and Sonny Boy and His Money Blues Band. He also leads two other local groups: Captain Groove and His Funky People and the Kent Hammer Trio. He loves to write music (many of the O-Tone tunes are his), teaching saxophone in his spare time and believes in liberal use of the word "manny".

Ojinga Blackwell (trumpet, soulful chordal structures) hails from the windy city of Chicago, IL. He began his musical journey on cornet at the age of nine, but three years later switched to trumpet when his mother gifted him with his first. His interest to seriously become a trumpeter didn't kick in until Ojinga was sixteen, when he had an instantaneous change of heart and went from never practicing to getting in five or six hours a day. As a result, scholarships, honor ensembles and music camps became available to the determined young trumpeter. The next step for Ojinga was to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music. After a decorated completion, he involved himself in numerous musical situations such as Mood Express, Peneplain Jazz Project, Colorado Community Church Worship Band, Mistura Fina and of course, the O-Tone Brass Band. He also teaches trumpet privately at the Evergreen School of Music and the Ascot Music Academy. His main influences are Freddie Hubbard. Tom Harrell, Nicholas Payton, Miles David, and Louis Armstrong. We won't mention that he's also quite a fan of the Hip-Hop music.

Matt White (tenor sax, rich and creamy sauce) has been playing saxophone for around fifteen years and has been with the O-Tone Brass Band for more than four years. He earned his degree from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music in Jazz Studies. A Washington D.C. native, Matt moved to Denver in '97 for school and has been here since. He has played with local bands Irie Still, the Backstreet Band, the Funky Babylonians, Filthy Children, the Mood Express, the Denver Municipal Band, and the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. He currently plays in a number of ensembles in addition to the O-Tones including Buckner Funk 'n Jazz, Fina Dupa, Kizumba, the Colorado Community Church Worship Band, Sifa! Sifa!, and the Peneplain Jazz Project. In his short career he has been privileged to play with such notable musicians as Maria Schneider, Mark Whitfield, and Jerry Bergonzi. His greatest influences on saxophone are Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Kenny Garret, Maceo Parker, and Skerik and believes that funk has, over the years, developed a positive and almost respectable connotation.

Jon Brady (trombone, girlies) joined up with the O-Tones in the spring of 2003. Currently Jon plays in a variety of bands around Denver including the Sammy Mayfield Blues Revue, River, and Filthy Children. He also keeps busy by teaching in the Douglas County school district and privately as well. He is a man of few words, but he speaks volumes through his trombone. He also likes girls.

Kevin Dykstra (snare drum) is one of the more recent additions to the O-Tone Brass Band. Beginning his musical wanderings in the schools systems of Rapid City, SD, Kevin quickly decided to let music become his primary passion. After high school, where he experienced a variety of ensemble experiences and achievements, he decided to attend the University of Wyoming as a Drum Performance major. While there he played in every ensemble available to him and continued to do so until moving to Denver three years later to focus strictly on performing. Since then he has met and played with a plethora of local talent. In addition to holding down a rock-solid beat with the O-Tones, Kevin also plays set with the local original funk band Filthy Children. Despite his stature, Kevin hauls around the most gear, now isn't that ironic?

Adam Randall, a drummer and percussionist originally from Rochester, MN, has been writing, performing, and recording in rock, fusion, and original styles for 15 years. He has a degree in Physics from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN, thus awarding him the title of “the Professor” from his band mates (editor’s note: which is only a truth in the sense that it was made up in a half-hearted attempt to add interest to his bio). In addition to playing some thumpin‘ bass drum for the Otones, he also plays set in the Denver-based band Wadi Rum. Adam is currently a private drum set instructor at Colorado Drum Institute, writes music in his spare time, and likes kittens.

Steven Glenn, a Colorado native, is the man behind the sousaphone in the Otone Brass Band. Though originally a trombone player, Steven quickly fell in love with playing the tuba when his seventh grade band director told him his mouth was better designed for the instrument. Steven went on throughout high school playing his tuba wherever he could and as often as he could, from Pep Band to solos and duets at Symphonic Band concerts. After High School he made the decision to get serious about his tuba playing, and applied to (and was accepted at) the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. With Kathy Brantigan as his guide, Steven was able to develop the beginnings of his sound on his instrument. Still a student at Lamont, Steven has continued his desire to involve himself in numerous musical settings, including the Wind and Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Combos, and the occasional outside gig. Steven also plays with the Back Porch Jazz Band, a local Dixieland band that performs private and community parties. Steven’s influences include Charles Achenbach (from the Canadian Brass) and recent discovery Oystein Baadsvik. Steven dedicates each performance of his career… to the ladies.

Brynn Rector (trumpet, yin) a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the most recent addition to the O-Tone lineup. Despite her young age she has been playing the trumpet 13 years and is currently midway through completing a degree in Jazz and Commercial Music from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music under the direct tutelage of local trumpet legend Al Hood. Her main influences include Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, and Blue Mitchell. Yes, Brynn is a girl.