“The Trio’s artistry, originality, and inventive arrangements captivated our audience from the first note to the last. Their performance was engaging, polished, and filled with charm, culminating in an encore rendition of Rossini’s Cat Duet that brought the entire room to its feet…If you are looking for a fun, memorable, and impeccably executed performance, I cannot recommend Trio de Chats Noirs highly enough. They bring both excellence and joy to the stage in equal measure.”

Emily Cox, Music Department Manager, Fourth Presbyterian Church - Chicago

Transcendent:
Music for Horn, Bass Trombone and Organ

Trio de Chats Noirs—Rachel Velvikis (horn), Mark Fry (bass trombone), and organist Christopher Powell—has completed recording Transcendent, featuring the music of Spiegler, Bruckner, Saint-Saëns, Mozart, Corelli, Liszt, Bach, Hovhaness, and Handel. Recorded in the beautiful sanctuary of Saint Giles Episcopal Church in Northbrook, IL on the magnificent Hellmuth Wolff organ (Opus 37, 1994), with expert engineering by Keenan Recording. Transcendent will be released soon to all major streaming platforms, with the physical CD following later this year.

Produced and presented by 3CB Music Productions, LLC.

Photo credit: Sean Keenan

Trio de Chats Noirs is a dynamic and versatile chamber ensemble uniting the talents of Rachel Velvikis on horn and Mark Fry on bass trombone and euphonium. Their performances showcase a broad, ever-evolving repertoire spanning centuries and styles—from the timeless masterpieces of J.S. Bach and Johannes Brahms to the evocative contemporary works of Alec Wilder, Ennio Morricone, and beyond.

Celebrated for their artistic versatility and innovative approach, the trio excels in imaginative transcriptions that infuse fresh energy into both traditional and modern compositions. Frequent collaborations with world-class pianists and organists—including the acclaimed Liang-yu Wang and organist Christopher Powell—add profound emotional depth, rich sonic textures, and striking variety to their sound.

Currently in the midst of an exciting recording project featuring organ, Trio de Chats Noirs continues to push the boundaries of brass chamber music. Their performances range from intimate noonday recitals and historic church venues to radio broadcasts, educational outreach at institutions like Northern Illinois University, and captivating programs such as Songs and Dances or Transcendent: From Baroque Grace to Romantic Glory (with organ). Each concert delivers an immersive, unforgettable musical journey that blends lyricism, virtuosity, and joy.

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