James shepherd cornet biography sample

English cornet player (1936–2023)

James Shepherd (25 November 1936 – 22 June 2023) was an English cornet player from Northumbria, described as one of the world's most respected players of the instrument, having won the Championship Soloist of Great Britain Prize in three consecutive years (1962-4).

James shepherd cornet biography sample pdf

He was principal cornet of Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band from 1960 to 1963, 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

He was born on 25 November 1936 in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, the son of James, a coal miner and cornet player, and Elizabeth, née Wood.^[1] He began playing at around age 8 and initially learned through his father and then the conductor at Newbiggin Colliery Band.^[1][2&