While in town for the Chicago Jazz Festival, Sam Pilafian and Gerhard Meinl discuss the history of the tuba. With demonstrations on the tuba, they play scales and other short pieces. Gerhard Meinl's family business of making instruments like the tuba has been around since 1810, explained Meinl.

The quintet of Empire Brass was founded by Rolf Smedvig after he was asked to take part in Leonard Bernstein's "Mass". All the men came from families with musical backgrounds. Currently on tour, Empire Brass plays at Orchestra Hall this evening, the day of the recording. They have been to Europe seven times, Japan twice and they have been to all the United States except for Hawaii.