The NPG Hornz, also known as The Hornheadz, is an American brass section and ensemble that performed and recorded with Prince in the 1990s, throughout the "Unpronounceable symbol" era and with The New Power Generation band, and later in the 2000s, working with Prince for the remainder of his career.
Initially formed without an official name, the collective debuted in June 1991 in a one-off matinee (daytime) concert at the Warner Bros. Studios patio in Burbank, California. Their first studio appearance was on the Love Symbol album in October 1992, still only credited as "Hornz by." Further on, the group was active in two slightly different formations. As the NPG Hornz with saxophonist Brian Gallagher, they played exclusively for the Prince camp, appearing on four studio albums in 1994–96, from Come to Emancipation, and several NPG Records side projects, including NPG's Exodus and Child Of The Sun, the sole album by Prince's wife, Mayte. The NPG Hornz participated in the '92 Diamonds And Pearls Tour across Japan, Australia, the UK, and Europe, and the NPG's Act I/Act II tours in March–September 1993. Concurrently, with Kenni Holmen replacing Gallagher, the band was known as The Hornheads — recording both with Prince and independently. They contributed to Gold Nigga (1993) and Newpower Soul (98) albums by The New Power Generation, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic co-released in 1999 with BMG/Arista (and the "twin" remix album), and The Rainbow Children in 2001. Since 1994, The Hornheads has recorded and released four "solo" albums via Bone 2 B Wild private imprint.
In 2015, the group contributed to Prince's final two albums, HITnRUN Phase One and Phase Two (credited as "NPG Hornz" and "The Hornheads" on different tracks).
The original line-up (1991–94)
Michael Nelson — trombone
Steve Strand — lead trumpet
Dave Jensen — trumpet
Brian Gallagher — tenor saxophone
Kathy J. — alto & baritone saxophones
One Nite Alone/Musicology trio (2002–2004)
NPG Hornz performed as a trio on One Nite Alone… and Musicology Live 2004ever tours.
Maceo Parker — saxophone
Candy Dulfer — saxophone
Greg Boyer — trombone
Additional "One Nite Alone…" members
Najee — alto saxophone and flute
Eric Leeds* — saxophones and flute
* stood in for Maceo Parker on selected dates
2005–2011 line-up
Between 2008 and 2011, the NPG Hornz only joined Prince occasionally, as the New Power Generation mostly performed without a horn section or featured special guests, such as Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, or Grupo Fantasma's horns: Leo Gauna (trombone), Gilbert Elorreaga (trumpet), Josh Levy (2) and Gene Centeno (saxophones).
Ray Monteiro — trumpet
Steve Baxter — trombone
Garrett Smith — trombone
Lee Hogans — trumpet (since 2007)
Greg Boyer — trombone (returned c. 2006)
Additional members
Eddie M. — saxophone
Maceo Parker — saxophone (concert guest in 2006–07)
2012-2015 line-up
In September 2012, Prince introduced the expanded 11-piece NPG Hornz ensemble (sometimes they appeared with only five to ten members).
Marcus Anderson — saxophone
Keith Anderson — saxophone
Sylvester Onyejiaka — saxophone
BK Jackson — saxophone
Adrian Crutchfield — saxophone
Lynn Grisset — trumpet
Steve Reid — trumpet
Philip Lassiter — trumpet
Nick Marchione — trumpet
Roy Agee — trombone
Joey Rayfield — trombone
