A well known and popular figure on the East Midlands band scene has decided to take a break, after decades of playing BBb bass in many of the region’s finest bands.

Born and bred

John Clarke, now in his 70s, retired from Foresters Brass 2000 at a recent concert in Rutland , the county where he was born and bred, where there was barely a dry eye in the house as he swapped bass for baton to conduct the band in one of his favourite pieces, ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’

Depth of sound

John joined Foresters from Kibworth, where he’d played for many years, and his presence made an immediate impact at the band, as Professional MD Peter Collins recalled to 4BR: "John brought a depth of sound to the bottom end of the band which was incredibly powerful, and no doubt helped us with many of our successes over the years.

But even though he had a beautiful, rich and old fashioned sound, he was also a thoroughly adaptable player and relished the challenge of more modern music just as much as he loved the classics."

John has been a true gentleman and a true bander through and throughChairman, Gemma Kiddy

Not quite hanging

John won’t be hanging up his tuba completely though- a prospect which band Chairman Gemma Kiddy told 4BR would be most welcome:

"John has been a true gentleman and a true bander through and through. He’s had to step down due to personal circumstances, but has promised us all he’ll be back. I have absolutely no doubt we’ll see him again soon, and we all look forward to seeing him in the near future."