George Wallace

George Wallace

September 6, 1945 - July 11, 2026

George Wallace passed away peacefully at his California home on July 11, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Denise, their two children, Liam and Elani, his sister Ginger and her husband Dan, brother Daniel and his wife Rachel, sister Dodie and her partner Bill, along with the many nieces and nephews and extended family he loved. George was born in Long Beach, California, to Lyle and Edrie Wallace, and grew up in Fullerton. Music was a big part of family life and George expressed an early desire to play the trombone. When the school band found themselves in need of a trombonist, he eagerly picked up the horn and never looked back, continuing to play and perform professionally for the rest of his life. After graduating from Sunny Hills High School, he attended Fullerton College and San Francisco State University where he continued his studies in music. George began performing in classical orchestral settings, but loved diverse and interesting music of all kinds, working with salsa and rock bands for a time. While playing with the Consortium Antiquum, a traditional renaissance ensemble, he met several other brass players who teamed up to perform as street musicians at the Renaissance and Dickens Fairs. Their particular skill sets, personalities, and off the wall humor blended so well that they soon deserted the streets and catapulted themselves onto the stage. Crowds gathered in delight to watch their camaraderie, chemistry, comic flair and classical music precision come to life and captivate. It was so much fun that they decided they needed to keep doing it. “The Brass Band” was born. George’s skills both as a performer and arranger played an integral role in The Brass Band’s success. His limber and boisterous physicality breathed energy and humor into each performance, and many of the band’s signature arrangements were written by George. Featuring two trumpets, baritone horn, trombone, and tuba, the five players were versatile and able to interchange between several instruments. George primarily played baritone horn, but also played guitar and sang with the two trumpet players as part of a featured vocal trio within the show. Four players took up four trombones to play the “Sabre Dance” by Khachaturian, featuring a sword fight enactment with trombones, not at all disguised as swords, but used as such. Together, they created a completely unique theatrical show featuring use of street theatre techniques, audience interaction, zany comedy and extreme physicality, all while playing classical repertoire immaculately. They initiated a career of international proportions lasting close to 20 years. The Brass Band became a big hit in Australia, and soon after performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they won the coveted Perrier Comedy Award in 1984. Tours followed throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico and Canada, with repeat tours to Australia. In the United States, they landed many television and theater performances, including a ten year stint playing the Harvest Festival circuit on the West Coast. They made several albums from their live show, including “Live and In Debt”, recorded in 1987 at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles. George met his wife of 27 years, Denise, well after they had both performed on the same stage at the Edinburgh Festival. After meeting up in San Francisco, and after several crossings of the proverbial pond, they were married. The couple were immersed in music, but the biggest blessing of their lives, which no theatre performance could ever match, was the gift of their two beautiful children. George was a strong and inspiring father. He provided a drum kit to his son for his 4th birthday, instructed him in baseball (a game George loved), construction, baking, orchestration and of course, the trombone. George read books out loud to his daughter in a mesmerizingly theatrical way, and was the most patient and loving father to her. The whole family sang together as The Wallabies, enjoyed summer trips to Lake Tahoe for an annual musical retreat by the lake, and loved visiting Australia when time allowed. George had an early interest in photography, and a lifetime interest in chocolate. After the Brass Band “dis-banded”, George took on a second career in construction for a time, while continuing to work as a music director for a variety of churches and music groups throughout Marin. He played trombone in the pit band for several musical theatre shows prior to retirement. During the past four years, George played with local bands including the Corte Madera Town Band, the Las Gallinas Sanitary Band (aka The ‘Sewer’ Band), and the College of Marin Symphonic Wind Orchestra. On May 1, 2026, he performed with the College of Marin Jazz Ensemble, where he played his beloved trombone, in concert, on stage, for the last time. He is remembered for his kindness, compassion, deep connection to spirit, and sensitivity for those in need. He shared his love and passion for music with the world, and we will never forget the blessings of his life and the gracious way he left. He is held now in the care of the angels, where no doubt he is running rehearsals and conducting heavenly voices with all his height and style, and for sure, with his whole heart and soul. George, you lived a great life, enjoy the next, and we know that love lives on because of you.

A Celebration of Life for George will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 1pm, First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael 1510 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael CA 94901.

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