4BR has been informed that the 30 year musical partnership between Dave Lea and the Jaguar Land Rover Band has come to an end, with the popular conductor announcing his retirement from the role he has held since 1988.
Hard decision
Speaking exclusively to 4BR, Dave said: "The band has been a major part of my life and family for the last 30 years and it's therefore been an extremely hard decision to make.
I've been thoroughly blessed to have led the band through so many successful times and thank all those that have given me so much joy through their musicianship and friendship.
The support of the company has been exemplary and it has been an honour to represent Jaguar Land Rover on the contest and concert stage."
Wonderful musical experience
He added: "I'm continuing my involvement, albeit at a more leisurely pace, with the brass band movement, and will be working with many bands and ensembles both in the UK and abroad in future, but this was the right time to bring to an end what has been a wonderful musical experience."
Dave took over the band whilst they were in the Second Section, leading them to promotion and the First Section Midlands (South) Area title in 1993 — a feat repeated at the combined Midlands Regional Championships in 1995. In the same year they became the First Section National Champions of Great Britain.
I've been thoroughly blessed to have led the band through so many successful times and thank all those that have given me so much joy through their musicianship and friendshipDave Lea
Top flight consistency
Under his direction and link to the company under different guises, they became one of the Midlands most consistent top flight bands — winning the Bolsover Entertainment title in 2011, the Midlands Regional title for the very first time in 2013 and the Senior Cup in 2015.
The band appeared at the Albert Hall National Finals on three occasions under his baton, and after coming runner-up at the 2016 Grand Shield, they qualifying for the very first time for the British Open, where they performed again in 2017.
