In a special edition of our Frank Renton on Brass free podcast, Frank marks the death of James Shepherd, the former principal cornet of the Black Dyke Mills Band, and the founder of the James Shepherd Versatile Brass ensemble. He passed away on Thursday 22nd June, aged 86.

When he recorded this short podcast, Frank said:
"I’m talking about one of my dearest and oldest friends and colleagues, Jim Shepherd, known affectionately by everyone in the business as Gentleman Jim.

That he’s one of the great cornet players of all time goes without saying but his skills as a teacher and mentor to others is often overlooked.

He is simply one of the most natural musicians you could ever meet, and passing on what he knows to others is as natural as everything else.

He remains one of the most liked and respected musicians that I've been privileged to know."

He will be very sadly missed.

For more information on Frank Renton on Brass just visit our website at www.frankrentononbrass.com.

#brassmusic #brassbands #podcasts #ブラスバンド #bandadiottoni #fanfare

Our Track of the Week comes from a young trumpet player who is gradually forging a reputation as an international soloist who we like to think had her first taste of fame as the winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass award way back in 2014. It's Matilda Lloyd and it's delightful!

Frank's second track is in his opinion one of the greatest pieces ever written for the brass band, and in 1991 he and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band were to give the first performance of the music as reward for being selected as BBC Band of the Year.

"Its sheer virtuosity is remarkable, and conducting it is truly one of the high points of my long musical career. So, enjoy the The Grimethorpe Colliery Band, playing Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby. The stuff of genius!"

This is the last free podcast of this series, but we'll be back with a longer free podcast after the Summer, with news, reviews and interviews and some more truly wonderful music, so until then from Frank, it's "Thanks for listening and bye now!".

For more information on Frank Renton on Brass just visit our website at www.frankrentononbrass.com.

#brassmusic #brassbands #podcasts #ブラスバンド #bandadiottoni #fanfare

In this Frank Renton on Brass free podcast, Frank shares his Track of the Week and a piece of music that conjures up a memory from his life in music.

The memory this week is one from the early 1970s when Frank was Band Master of the Gordon Highlanders and failed to convince his commanding officer that he hadn't just conducted a lot of wrong notes with the conclusion that he'd tried to be too clever by half!

Frank's Track of the Week is a brilliant band that seemed to come out of nowhere and took the world by storm.

Enjoy some magical note playing - and yes they are the right ones!

For more information on Frank Renton on Brass just visit our website at www.frankrentononbrass.com.

#brassmusic #brassbands #podcasts #ブラスバンド #bandadiottoni #fanfare