*
banner

Death of Derek Watkins

The death has been announced of one of the world's great trumpet players Derek Watkins.

Derek Watkins
 

4BR has been informed of the death of Derek Watkins. One of the musical world’s great trumpet players, he died following a lengthy illness. He was 68.

Foremost

Derek Watkins was widely considered to be the foremost British Big Band trumpet player ever to grace the stage, sharing unequalled status on both sides of the Atlantic.

He was especially held in the highest esteem by the very finest trumpet players in the USA from East to West Coast.

Brilliant

Philip Biggs told 4BR: "They always asked about him when I visited the USA and made sure they told me what a brilliant a trumpet player they thought he was. They always wanted to know how he was, showing their great affection for him.

In fact, Derek was asked about more than any other British brass player when I travelled to the USA for band conferences and clinics."

Dizzy tribute

It was reported that the great Dizzy Gillespie once told friends: "When you speak of lead trumpets, Derek is ‘Mr Lead’."

Brass band

Derek Watkins was born into a brass band family and taught to play the cornet at the age of four by his father. He played with the brass band his father conducted, Spring Gardens Brass Band in Reading, of which his grandfather was also conductor and a founder member.

He also played with his father's dance band until he turned professional at the age of 17, before going on to perform with many worldwide artists including, Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Ted Heath, Frank Sinatra and the James Last Orchestra.

He also appeared with The Beatles, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, the London Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, amongst countless many, and played on the soundtrack on every James Bond movie from ‘Dr No’ to ‘Skyfall’.

It was reported that the great Dizzy Gillespie once told friends: When you speak of lead trumpets, Derek is ‘Mr Lead’4BR

Hottest property

Philip Biggs added: "He was regarded for over 50 years as the hottest property around when it came to trumpet playing, whether it was on the stand live with the band, playing with the backing orchestra, on the film track or for the CD. Derek was leader of the lead trumpet."

Very much a ‘people person’ he was a warm, gregarious, had no ego, fun loving musician who couldn’t get enough of life and who loved his family.

Generous

Philip concluded: "Whenever I saw Derek, whether visiting the BBC Maida Vale studios in London to listen to him play with the BBC Big Band, or at a gig, he would always have a broad smile on his face and be only too ready to tell you a story.

Derek was always hugely generous with his praise and encouragement."

Derek Watkins was Visiting Professor for Trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, lead trumpet of the BBC Big Band and gave masterclass clinics at music colleges around the world.

Company

He formed a ground breaking association with Dr Richard Smith, Doctor of Acoustics, at Boosey & Hawkes and together they set up their own manufacturing company, Smith-Watkins Instruments, where they manufactured and supplied both trumpets and cornets.

Derek is survived by his wife Wendy and their children, Sean, Ellie and Sarah and their seven grandchildren.

With thanks to Philip Biggs
Picture courtesy of Kevin Wedrychowski

Donations can be made to support the Derek Watkins charity at the following:

https://www.justgiving.com/Derek-Watkins-Super-C-Charity/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Desford

Desford reaching wider audience following National win

October 16 • The wider public media have been keen to broadcast the news of Desford's memorable National Championship victory.


Yorkshire generation

Yorkshire focus on Next Generation

October 16 • Young players aged 16 and under will be teh focus of a 'Next Generation' day of inclusive music making in York in February.


Emotions

New online brass band platform launched

October 16 • Emotions on Stage will replace the CUBrass website as a leading platform for brass, wind and concert bands.


Grimethorpe

Grimethorpe go for a Burton

October 16 • Will Burton is the new solo Eb tuba of Grimethorpe Colliery Band.


Regent Brass - Brett Baker

Friday 17 October • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), 275 Oxford Street, London WC1 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Oxted Brass Band - Tom Smith (Brighouse & Rastrick)

Saturday 18 October • St John’s, Hurst Green, Kent RH8 9EA


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd