The Harvey Phillips Northwest "Big Brass" Bash began as a one day affair as "Octuba Octubafest" in Spokane and was organized by John Baker. It continued for six years with Harvey Phillips as its regular guest artist. The Matteson-Phillips Tubajazz Consort, which was on its way to Saporo, Japan for the ITEA Conference, was featured in 1990. A brass quintet from the Tokyo College of Music was another featured group during these years. The first T-shirts were given out at this time, and they became the official concert dress for the participants in the Sunday Concert.

In 1993 and 1994, it was moved to Longview, Washington and renamed "Northwest Tuba fest" and was hosted by Sam Blumenthal who continues to remain the catalyst and director for each Northwest city location. In addition to Harvey Phillips, Ellis Wean of the Vancouver Symphony, presented a seminar on mouthpieces, and Rodger Vaughan, of California State University at Fullerton, presented a class on arranging for tuba ensemble. Dr. John Richards, Principal Tubist of the Oregon Symphony, presented an historical perspective of tuba family development in the 1993 session. John Huenink and the Oregon Tuba Association hosted in 1995 and 1996, along with Richard Frazier at the University of Oregon, further continuing the new found excitement created in 1993 and 1994.

In 1997 and 1998 the event officially became the Northwest "Big Brass" Bash, or NWBBb. The name was created by Debbie Munson, wife of Ron Munson, both tuba players! It was hosted by Ron Munson and the University of Puget Sound.

In 2001, the event became The Harvey Phillips Northwest "Big Brass" Bash in honor of this event's life long friend and major inspiration, Harvey Phillips. A special award was presented to him as well as an award to Marilyn Trail, wife of John Baker, President, who passed away in November 2000, after a courageous battle with cancer. A new logo for the event was co-designed by Annie Agars Klindworth, Music Secretary at Central Washington University and Debbie Munson, Art Teacher at Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington. The first web page for this event was posted by Mark Babbitt, CWU's Professor of Trombone.

In January 2002, the official web site for HPNWBBb was established by Ron Munson and Mike Ross. The 2002 event marked the first time in BBb history that it was hosted by a public school district and specifically Eric Ryan of Puyallup High School. Eric did an outstanding job as host. Directors Sam Blumenthal and Ron Munson were co-hosts. This year also saw the biggest crowd in attendance at the Sunday Concert and the event was welcomed by the Mayor of Puyallup, Kathy Turner. It was the year of the 6/4 tuba with Gene Pokorny, Chris Olka and Keating Johnson playing the 2nd tuba part in the Sunday Concert. Jeff Olson, acting president of the Oregon Tuba Association, passed away September 16th, 2001 and was honored by the Oregon Tuba Ensemble for his contributions to the Northwest tuba community.

Guest artists for BBbXVII were Dr. Deanna Swoboda, tuba and Gail Robertson, Euphonium. Deanna and Gail's clinics were most outstanding. Harvey Phillips joined us again in ever improved health, and continued to share with, and inspire everyone. The event was held for a third time at the University of Puget Sound, and was hosted by Ron Munson and Sam Blumenthal. For the first time in BBb history, the Sunday Concert (which is usually outdoors) in the park was rained out. Thanks to the flexibility of the Music Department at UPS, and success in reaching the parents, and potential audience before the Sunday Concert, it was possible to hold the concert in the Concert Hall at UPS.

See "Through the Years" for more information.