Derek Watkins RIP

[sidewinder]

Sad to report that trumpeter Derek Watkins has just passed away.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9949927/James-Bond-trumpet-player-Derek-Watkins-dies.html

A great, powerful lead player and a stalwart of the Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler and Clarke/Boland Big Band, among many others. Last time I saw him was with the Wheeler Big Band a couple of years ago. RIP.

Edited March 23, 2013 by sidewinder

[A Lark Ascending]

Sad indeed.

I don't know of anything with him as leader; but I must have seen him many times (and heard him on disc) in various larger groups.

[JohnS]

Sad news. I heard he was very ill. As well as being a big band player he performed at our club three or four times in a quintet setting. Nice player and nice guy.

This image shows Watkins(l) with KennyWheeler and Martin Shaw

Edited March 24, 2013 by JohnS

[J.A.W.]

BBC obit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21912217

[clifford_thornton]

RIP. He'd worked with Wheeler from the beginning, pretty much.

[Peter Friedman]

I have these two CDs with Derek Watkins as leader or co-leader on The British Zephyr label.

Both are, for me, quite enjoyable.

Warren Vache meets Derek Watkins - Stardust

Derek Watkins & The Brian Lemon Trio - Over The Rainbow

[RogerF]

Just been playing Derek's own album 'Increased Demand' and discovered it's a real gem. Probably difficult if not impossible to find(*) but definitely worth the search. What a superb player. RIP Derek.

(*)Update: Not impossible, as I've just seen copies on eBay and Amazon.co.uk, albeit not many left.

Edited March 27, 2013 by RogerF

[JSngry]

http://loungelegends.blogspot.com/2013/03/derek-watkins-my-way-rip.html