Friday night saw Canada's only trombone quintet play the stage at the Merritt Civic Centre.

The concert was very well received with the group playing three encores for the enthusiastic audience.

Jim Tranquilla and Neal Bennett wanted to form a virtuoso ensemble for the trombone quintet, capable of performing and promoting live music across Canada.

They recruited three more trombonists they had played with at Montreal's Conservatory of Music and I Tromboni was born.

I Tromboni incorporates many different styles of music into its show with an emphasis on classical but just as comfortable with jazz, contemporary, and popular styles.

“We are Canada's only professional touring trombone quintet, so therefore the best,” says Bennett.

Taking the stage in matching team Canada hockey jerseys, Bennett says they do not have an American quintet rival but that quartets are far more common.

According to Bennett, the band cut its teeth playing shows for schools, with their evening performances added as they realized there was an audience for them beyond the school children.

“Kids are the best audience to train with because they are unforgiving and have to be entertained,” says Bennett.

“You have to be exciting for them or they will let you know.”

The quintet played Merritt Secondary School earlier in the day and then invited members of the school band to play with them for the evening show.

Jim Tranquilla, the quintets other founding member, cites the Canadian Brass as one of its most obvious influences, which he saw when he was in school.

The Canadian Brass were formed in 1970 by Charles Daellenbach and Gene Watts, who wanted to take out the seriousness associated with most chamber music ensembles and share their love of music with a wider audience.

Playing over 150 shows a year, I Tromboni plans to share its special brand of entertainment for many years to come and hopefully allow audiences a greater appreciation for the trombone, an instrument that no longer can be relegated to the back row.

I Tromboni have made two compact discs, 2004's There Goes the Neighbourhood, and 2010's The Bad and the Beautiful, both available for purchase on their website.