BrassBeat

In 1940, when she was just 16 years old, Denver native Joy Cayler formed an all–women’s Big Band which played locally for private dances, public events, ballrooms, resorts, and local military bases until Joy signed a contract with MCA in 1943. The first Joy Cayler’s All Girls Orchestra played at ballrooms, theaters, as well as fine hotels, parties and camp shows. Joy led this band of thirteen young women and played solo trumpet as well!

Her 40’s band could be seen on the west coast with such notables as Bob Hope, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Frank Morgan. The versatile swing band played through 1947, with two tours of the orient, entertaining troops immediately following World War II. After touring the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and many island bases. they were the last entertainment group to leave the Republic of China before the bamboo curtain fell.

Upon returning to Denver in 1948, Joy operated a small music store and rehearsed to professional level a band of Japanese–American men released from America’s wartime internment camps. Joy also formed and led a male and female combo for local engagements at the time.

In 1951, another all–women’s band was formed and Joy was on the road again. Once again booked by MCA, Joy’s band played across the United States at ballrooms and fine hotels. Joy then returned with her band to the orient to entertain troops at the very end of the Korean Conflict, backing such performers as Rita Moreno, Julius LaRosa and the Mills Brothers. The band also made appearances on Japanese television, as well as in many muddy Army camps.
The ’60’s – Miss Joy Cayler – Home Again

In the 1960’s while teaching music privately in Denver, Joy began to work with young boys and girls in stage jazz bands. In 1967, she was instrumental in developing the Denver-Aires and Denver-Ettes stage jazz bands programs.
The ’70’s – Miss Joy Cayler – and Her Brass Beat!

In 1974, with the help of Donna Murphy, Brass Beat for the ’70’s Incorporated was formed. The non-profit organization was governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and the 17–piece youth group played Big Band music from The Books! throughout the Denver area, as well as giving performances in Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, and the states surrounding Colorado.

With the arrival of the ’80’s, the organization’s name was changed to Brass Beat, Incorporated. Brass Beat was the “show band”, and the training bands were: Blues ‘n’ Brass, Jumpin’ with Joy, and KC and the Funshine Band, under the direction of Assistant Musical Director, Miss Karen Caton. Board member Ms. Nancy Lynn Jones, helped Joy with production details, and former band members, Tony Sacco and Dave Wiske, also joined The Brass Beat Staff.

For 24 years, Joy Cayler and her Brass Beat played corporate and civic events, dance jobs, awards nights and ceremonies, weddings, and were the “The House Band” for a number of annual Command Performances throughout the Denver Metropolitan area. This very popular youth organization continued through 1991, and was the inspiration and initial professional training experience for many of today’s fine young jazz musicians and music teachers.

In 1940, when she was just 16 years old, Denver native Joy Cayler formed an all–women’s Big Band which played locally for private dances, public events, ballrooms, resorts, and local military bases until Joy signed a contract with MCA in 1943. The first Joy Cayler’s All Girls Orchestra played at ballrooms, theaters, as well as fine hotels, parties and camp shows. Joy led this band of thirteen young women and played solo trumpet as well!

Her 40’s band could be seen on the west coast with such notables as Bob Hope, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Frank Morgan. The versatile swing band played through 1947, with two tours of the orient, entertaining troops immediately following World War II. After touring the Philippines, Korea, Japan, and many island bases. they were the last entertainment group to leave the Republic of China before the bamboo curtain fell.

Upon returning to Denver in 1948, Joy operated a small music store and rehearsed to professional level a band of Japanese–American men released from America’s wartime internment camps. Joy also formed and led a male and female combo for local engagements at the time.

In 1951, another all–women’s band was formed and Joy was on the road again. Once again booked by MCA, Joy’s band played across the United States at ballrooms and fine hotels. Joy then returned with her band to the orient to entertain troops at the very end of the Korean Conflict, backing such performers as Rita Moreno, Julius LaRosa and the Mills Brothers. The band also made appearances on Japanese television, as well as in many muddy Army camps.
The ’60’s – Miss Joy Cayler – Home Again

In the 1960’s while teaching music privately in Denver, Joy began to work with young boys and girls in stage jazz bands. In 1967, she was instrumental in developing the Denver-Aires and Denver-Ettes stage jazz bands programs.
The ’70’s – Miss Joy Cayler – and Her Brass Beat!

In 1974, with the help of Donna Murphy, Brass Beat for the ’70’s Incorporated was formed. The non-profit organization was governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and the 17–piece youth group played Big Band music from The Books! throughout the Denver area, as well as giving performances in Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, and the states surrounding Colorado.

With the arrival of the ’80’s, the organization’s name was changed to Brass Beat, Incorporated. Brass Beat was the “show band”, and the training bands were: Blues ‘n’ Brass, Jumpin’ with Joy, and KC and the Funshine Band, under the direction of Assistant Musical Director, Miss Karen Caton. Board member Ms. Nancy Lynn Jones, helped Joy with production details, and former band members, Tony Sacco and Dave Wiske, also joined The Brass Beat Staff.

For 24 years, Joy Cayler and her Brass Beat played corporate and civic events, dance jobs, awards nights and ceremonies, weddings, and were the “The House Band” for a number of annual Command Performances throughout the Denver Metropolitan area. This very popular youth organization continued through 1991, and was the inspiration and initial professional training experience for many of today’s fine young jazz musicians and music teachers.