Author Spotlight
Lorelei Galles
Music played among a vibrant crowd of dancing people as band teacher Alex Toepfer played his tenor saxophone at First Fridays in the crossroads. The buildings on 18th & Locust street surrounded him as his jazz music wafted in the air.
Toepfer doesn’t just teach kids how to play music. In his free time, he is a part of a local band called Back Alley Brass Band as a saxophone player.
Back Alley is a New Orleans style jazz band based in Kansas City. They play at public events, private parties and clubs. Back Alley has been around for seven years creating a name for themselves all around the Kansas City Metro area.
Three years ago, Toepfer began to sub for the band whenever they were in need of a saxophone player. He became close friends with the members as he continued to sub here and there. In the last year there was an opening in the band, and they offered it to Toepfer— he happily accepted.
“They’re also guys that I love to hangout with too,” Toepfer said. “They’re friends of mine and we’re all kind of the same age and everything.”
Similar to Toepfer, the other nine band members are all either music educators or performers around Kansas City. The band consists of two trumpets, three trombones, two saxophones, a drummer and a tuba player.
Toepfer’s favorite event they have gotten to play is Travis Kelce’s “Kelce Jam” at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs. The “Kelce Jam” took place during the draft last year and it was a music festival created by the football player. There were more than 15,000 people at the event and it was a spirited crowd coming off of the Super Bowl victory.
“We played for Travis Kelce’s “Kelce jam” last year and that was really cool,” Toepfer said.
Another one of Toepfer’s favorite events was a show at the NightHawk inside of Hotel Kansas City.
Anytime the band gets to perform amongst high spirited crowds is Toepfer’s favorite moments with the band.
“There’s people everywhere screaming and cheering for the band,” Toepfer said. “So anytime we’re able to play music for a crowd that’s into our music.”
Other than performances, the band also records their music at a studio. And their songs are streamed on Spotify and Apple Music.
“I found that it’s a really supportive and inclusive community,” Toepfer said. “And I’ve made a lot of my friends in band.”
Being a performer plays a big part in Toepfer’s teaching at East. His ability to perform at a professional level and translate that experience to his students is beneficial according to Toepfer. He is constantly practicing, listening and teaching music. He practices just like he tells his student to, that way it makes it more authentic.
“I found that it’s a really supportive and inclusive community,” Toepfer said. “And I’ve made a lot of my friends in band.”
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