Conductor Norman Law and his wife Elaine have just returned home to Yorkshire after completing another successful visit to Japan.

Japanese delights

Norman was first introduced to the delights of the country with Black Dyke Mills during their highly acclaimed 1990 concert tour.

During that first visit he met Kenichi Nozawa who was then a young trombone player, and who was a big fan of the band and especially of Norman fine trombone playing.

This year Norman was invited to come back to Japan once again to conduct a summer concert in Tokyo, in what was his fourth appearance with the band4BR

Return visits

He has since visited the Law family home on a number of occasions, and always meets up with Norman and Elaine during their return visits. It was Kenichi who introduced Norman to Toshikazu Nagasaka, the Musical Director of the Band of the Black Colt.

Fourth appearance

This year Norman was invited to come back to Japan once again to conduct a summer concert in Tokyo, in what was his fourth appearance with the band.

Enthusiastic

After two weeks of intensive rehearsals the band performed to a very high standard in front of an enthusiastic audience in the Hikifune Bunka Concert Hall.

The programme included 'William Tell Overture', 'Beautiful World' by Kenneth Downie, 'Tombstone Arizona' by Gareth Wood and Stephen Bradnum's lovely arrangement of 'Irish Blessing'.

The Black Colt Band is based on a traditional British brass band format with 25 brass players plus percussion and they are now in the process of planning next year's concert — their 35th anniversary year.