*
banner

Happy Birthday Mr Scott

The great James Scott is 94 today....

James Scott
  The great James Scott is 94 today

The brass band world has joined to wish James Scott a happy 94th birthday.

One of the most respected players, conductors and adjudicators of the post war banding movement, he also remains one of the few people to have played in a contest at the famous Crystal Palace in London.

Prodigious talent

As a player he made his name as a prodigious talent with the likes of City of Coventry and Munn & Felton, where he twice became Champion Soloist of Great Britain.

In 1960 he became Musical Director of the short lived Cammell Laird Band helping them to reach the heights of the Championship Section.

Titles

He famously led Brighouse & Rastrick to the National title in 1973, Granada Band of the Year in 1975 and the European title in 1981, whilst he also enjoyed top level success with Grimethorpe Colliery, Foden's, Yorkshire Imperial and Tredegar amongst others.

A revered and respected adjudicator at all levels he was also the musical driving force behind the successful years of the Pontins Championships and hugely influential source of advice and direction at the British Open.

Everyone in the banding world joins together to wish him the happiest of birthdays…

he also remains one of the few people to have played in a contest at the famous Crystal Palace in London4BR

Find out more

https://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2003/art345.asp

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    


4BR

4BR Review — Episode 23

October 10 • Join Iwan and Chris as they look back at how the 2026 National Championship title was won and lost at the Royal Albert Hall in London last weekend — and some of the questions that arose from it.


Gregson

Gregson set for Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance

October 10 • Edward Gregson's 'Symphony in Two Movements' is to be performed by the symphonic brass and percussion ensemble of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra later this year.


Navigation Inn

Time please — as Navigation Inn closes doors...

October 10 • The most famous brass band pub in the world has closed its doors — perhaps for the very last time.


Blackford

Orbital countdown for Tredegar

October 10 • The fourth of the commissioning bands will perform Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' in West Sussex later today as Tredegar get ready for lift off in Ardingly.


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Garforth Brass - Annual Chairman's Charity Concert

Saturday 10 October • Miners Welfare Hall. 56 Main Street. Garforth . Leeds. LS25 1AA LS25 1AA


Bedford Town Band - Autumn Concert also featuring our Academy

Saturday 10 October • Putnoe Heights Church. Putnoe Heights. Bedford MK41 8EB


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Epping Forest Band

October 8 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Bedford Town Band

October 8 • Bedford Town Band are looking to recruit a Solo trombone and Repiano cornet . We are playing at the Wychavon Contest in a few weeks and are looking to be in the frame at the 1st Section Regionals . Rehearsals Thursday 7.45 at Castle Newnham School.


Pilling Jubilee Silver Band

October 7 • Pilling Band (ambitious 3rd Section Band North West) are seeking a few final players to complete their team under new MD Mark Vause. We are looking for 2 good front row cornet players, baritone, Eb/Bb bass and tuned percussion.


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd