James Shepherd Versatile Brass

Conductor: Frank Renton
Central Methodist Church, Brighouse
Friday 4th July

Every now and again, you get one of those events that you know is going to be a ‘one off’ and it is something that you just want to go and see.

This nostalgic trip down memory lane with the James Shepherd Versatile Brass was one such occasion.

30th Anniversary

Thirty years ago this month, JSVB gave a concert in Rydings Hall, Brighouse, prior to the group departing for a two week tour of Australia.  The idea for this reunion concert came from David Horsfield, the former Black Dyke, Brighouse and JSVB player who realised that in 2008 three decades would have passed since that Antipodeans trip, and having spoken to James Shepherd to gain approval from the iconic founder, it was full steam ahead in contacting people, organising rehearsals and getting lips ready for the big day. 

The concert was a celebration of both that particular groundbreaking trip and the music that JSVB provided, as well as being able to catch up with old friends to discuss and reminisce about those halcyon days.

Packed to the rafters

Brighouse’s Central Methodist Church was packed to the rafters, with around 350 in attendance, many of who had travelled from overseas, never mind various parts of the UK. One of the helpers told 4BR that they could have sold another 350 tickets without a problem for what was to be the start of a weekend of brass in Brighouse.

All of the players from the 1978 tour were present, with the exception of Harvey Whiteley who passed away not long after they returned home from the tour and bass trombonist, Ian Copland who has an eyesight problem.  The group was led by ‘the legend’ himself, James Shepherd, who was in cracking form during the night. 

Warmth

Frank Renton spoke with real warmth and respect about Jim and told a story about how he was given a CD of repertoire performed by the soloist. Having sat listening to it, Frank’s wife commented that it was a master class in how to play anything. 

Every generation has great musicians and even to this day, those that heard Jim in his pomp (especially the period 1963-1973 at Black Dyke) would tell you that there has never been anyone quite like him with his sound and technique.

Interspersed with the music, Frank Renton chatted to past conductors. Dennis Wilby and Ray Woodfield and arranger and composer, Bill Charleson each recalled stories from days gone by, whilst the audience also got a chance to see archive television footage of the group in those fashionable blue trousers and waistcoats and yellow shirts!

Fresh and challenging

The music?  It was all popular stuff from the JSVB era, most of which had been arranged or written for them by Bill Charlson, Michael Hopkinson, Graham Walker and Ray Woodfield – clever, intelligent showcases that even today still sounded remarkably fresh and challenging.

‘Blue Ronda a la Turk’, a selection of music from the Carpenters, music from the musical ‘Cats’ and ‘The Song of the Volga Boatman’ were all polished off with supreme professionalism as was the world premiere of ‘Pocket Messiah’ – all the best bits of Handel’s great opus all brilliantly shoehorned into four minutes Philip Wilby. There was also the chance for individual members to thrill the audience with little solo vignettes too – all played with real bravura style.

Soloists

James Shepherd, Stephen Thornton, Graham Walker and David Horsfield were featured in ‘My Favourite Things’; Gordon Higginbottom on mellophonium was joined by a trombone section of David Moore, Alan Widdop and Derek Southcott in ‘I Only Have Eyes for You’, whilst Derek Southcott also featured in ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’.

No concert from the JSVB would be complete without a solo from Gordon Higginbottom and he had the audience in the palm of his hand as he performed one of his great showpieces – ‘The Blight of the Fumble Bee’, written for him by Michael Hopkinson, who sadly couldn’t be present on the night due to ill health.

Despite everyone knowing what was to happen it was still a delight.  Each of the players tried to get themselves into the spotlight to upstage Gordon (as was always the case) and in the end he walked off stage slamming the door in utter frustration only to return dressed as a bumble bee – great entertainment and great musicianship to go with it.

Standing ovation

Having played ‘La Bamba’,which led to a standing ovation, there was the obligatory encore, ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ after which they duly received another well deserved standing ovation.

They could have gone on and on and on all night, but that was it - time to catch up with friends and no doubt some liquid refreshment.

Live coverage

The concert was streamed over the web by the themusicpage.com (as was the Saturday evening concert) and fingers crossed, if everything went according to plan, the concert should be available on CD.

The biggest regret is perhaps this concert won’t happen again but when Gordon Higginbottom brought down his high profile playing career in 1991, he called the concert, ‘Thanks for the Memory’.

Congratulations to David Horsfield, James Shepherd, Frank Renton and everybody involved in putting this concert together.  ‘Thanks for the Memory’ are sentiments that everyone present will surely echo for many years to come.

Malcolm Wood

James Shephered Versatile Brass Reunion Concert Personnel:

James Shepherd, Stephen Thornton, J Graham Walker (Cornets)
David Horsfield (Flugel Horn, Cornet)
Gordon Higginbottom (Horn, Mellophonium)
Colin Aspinall (Tuba)
David Moore (Euphonium, Trombone)
Derek Southcott, Alan Widdop (Trombone)
Kevin Edwards (Percussion)
Frank Renton (Conductor)

^back to top