The brass band world has been saddened to hear of the death of Derek Jackson.

The former Black Dyke and Fairey Bb tuba player died on Saturday evening. He was aged 76.

He leaves a much loved partner Christine and three cherished children, Nicky, Timothy and Simon.

Legend

Regarded as one of the legendary exponents of the instrument and responsible for revolutionising its capabilities in providing the foundation stone on which the modern low pitched brass band sound was built, he won every honour in the contesting sphere after joining Black Dyke in 1964, directly from the Black Dyke Junior Band.

Honours

Over the next 25 years with Queensbury band he notched up an incredible total of British Open, National, European and World titles, before enjoying an equally productive, if shorter period with Fairey.

A very proud and private man he nevertheless enjoyed a wonderfully engaging musical life and was also responsible in ensuring that Black Dyke’s legendary Queensbury bandroom retained its historic sound after refurbishment in the mid 1970s — through innovative use of carpet titles from his local shop!

He also had a very dry sense of humour, and as his daughter Nicky revealed to 4BR, he mischievously ensured that he will forever be a part of the historic Black Dyke bandroom by placing a photograph of himself in the ceiling space above his seat just before the building work was completed!

Tributes

Tributes have already poured in from all over the banding world, as his daughter Nicky told 4BR:

"Although it’s a very sad time for our family at the moment we have been touched by the hundreds of tributes that are being posted on social media sites.

I've come to realise that Dad really didn't know how well respected and loved he was by his brass band family all over the world, and although he did have a lovely reputation for being a straight talking Yorkshireman, he was actually a very modest man.

He would have been surprised and very humbled by the thoughts and words said about him."

Simon Gresswell who played next to him added: "Derek was a phenomenal player and a great man. I learnt so much from him in just one rehearsal. He was one of the true greats of the banding movement as a player. He will be greatly missed.”

Funeral details

Funeral details will be published on 4BR as soon as they have been released.

Those wishing to make arrangements should contact Simon Gresswell on 07792 660194.