2010 has begun with congratulations and sadness.

The congratulations are to Maurice Murphy and Ewan Easton on their awards of the MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Sadness throughout the banding community at the announcement of the death of Stephen Thornton at the early age of sixty.

Another excellent album has reached me recently, John Lee's solo album accompanied by the ladies of Boobs and Brass. A very enjoyable easy-listening selection which I shall be bringing to listeners over the coming weeks. Four tracks on offer and more to come.

January:

Irresistible
William Rimmer
Boobs and Brass

The Italian Girl in Algiers
Rossini arr. Greenwood
Sellers International

Trumpetistics
William Relton
JSVB
Cornet soloist: Stephen Thornton

Symphonic Suite for Brass Band
Leighton Lucas
Buy as You View

Doyle’s Lament
Peter Graham
Boobs and Brass
Flugel soloist: John Lee

The Joybringer
Kenneth Downie
International Staff Band

Will o’ the Wisp
Major George Willcocks
Black Dyke
Cornet soloist: Maurice Murphy

The Flight of the Bumble Bee
Rimsky Korsakov
Wingates
Tuba soloist: Ewan Easton

Our Love is Here to Stay
Gershwin arr. Goff Richards
Boobs and Brass
Flugel soloist: John Lee

Stannington
arr. David Moore
Boobs and Brass

Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Irving Berlin arr. Stephen Roberts
Brighouse and Rastrick