James Shepherd (musician)
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James Shepherd (musician) | |
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| Born | 1936 (age 87–88) |
| Occupation | Cornetists |
James Shepherd is a Northumbrian cornet player, described as one of the world's most respected players of the instrument.[1] He was principal cornet of Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band from 1960-3, then the Black Dyke Band from 1963 to 1973, before forming a brass ensemble, James Shepherd Versatile Brass, which he led until 1989. He was also principal cornet of the Virtuosi Brass Band, a recording ensemble assembled by Eric Ball.
Biography
Early life
Born in 1936 and brought up in Newbiggin by-the-sea, Northumberland, he began playing at around age 8 and initially learned through his father and then the local brass band conductor.
Carlton Main and Black Dyke
In 1960, he joined Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band as principal cornet.[2] In 1962, he won the Championship Soloist of Great Britain prize, and in June was announced as principal cornet in the Black Dyke Band, replacing Maurice Murphy. Shortly afterwards he changed his mind, opting to remain at Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band; however, in 1963, he reversed his decision and moved to take up the Black Dyke seat.[2] He went on to win the Championship Soloist of Great Britain prize again in both 1963 and 1964, a unique hat-trick achievement.[1][2] In 1971 he was awarded the Insignia of Honour at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, recognising "conspicuous service to brass bands".[2][3]
James Shepherd Versatile Brass and Virtuosi
In the early 1970s, he formed the James Shepherd Versatile Brass, a hand-picked 10-piece brass ensemble, and in 1973 he left Black Dyke to concentrate fully on the new ensemble.[2] The ensemble recorded 17 albums,[4] and contributed the theme music for the 1983 sitcom Hallelujah!.[5] He continued to play with the group until 1989.[2] The band continued on with Shepherd making occasional guest appearances until they played for the last time at the Millgate Arts Centre in Delph on the 16th of December, 2015.[6][7]
In 1972, he was selected as principal cornet of the Virtuosi Brass Band, a recording ensemble of top players assembled by Eric Ball, which would go on to record nine LPs for RCA Records.[2][8]
Recognition
In 1989 he was awarded the John Henry Iles Medal by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, recognising his contributions to the brass band movement.[9]
A biography, entitled Legends in Brass: James Shepherd, The Famous Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Cornet Player, was written by Christopher D. Helme and published by Mews Publishing in 1999.[10]
In 2009, Jayess Newbiggin brass band was founded, named in honour of Shepherd.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Javin, Val (31 Jan 2014). "James Shepherd Versatile Brass play Slaithwaite". Yorkshire Live.
And the man himself, James Shepherd, still performs with the group. He is one of the world's most respected cornet/trumpet players. After all, he still has the distinction of being the only brass player to have won the coveted Champion Soloist of Great Britain award in three consecutive years.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Newsome, Roy (2006). The modern brass band : from the 1930s to the new millennium. Aldershot, England: Ashgate Pub. pp. 109, 138–139, 169, 334. ISBN 075460716X.
- ↑ "1971 National Championships of Great Britain - Championship Section". 4barsrest. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ↑ "James Shepherd Versatile Brass". Discogs. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ↑ Perry, Chris (2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937-2013. p. 266. ISBN 9781900203609.
- ↑ Wood, Malcolm. "Versatile Brass Last Show". 4barsrest.
- ↑ Belmore, Aimee (10 November 2014). "Iconic James Shepherd Versatile Brass to hold Final Concert in Delph". Saddleworth Independent.
- ↑ "A History of the Virtuosi Brass Band of Great Britain". 4barsrest. 2004. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ↑ "The John Henry Iles Medal". The Musicians' Company. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ↑ Helme, Christopher D. (1999). James Shepherd, The Famous Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Cornet Player. ISBN 9780953670505.
External links
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