Derek Bell (musician)

George Derek Fleetwood Bell MBE ( born October 21, 1935 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, † 17 October 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona) was an Irish musician. He was for 28 years a member of the Irish band The Chieftains

Due to a medical misdiagnosis in his early childhood (prospective permanent blindness), he was brought by his parents very early musical instruments, he gave his first piano concert at age 12. After extensive musical studies in England and the U.S., he played in various orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Later he obtained a job in Belfast Symphony Orchestra, where he was enthusiastic about the harp. In 1965, Bell the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra at the harp player and oboist.

When he met Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains in 1972, invited him to this one to a joint appearance, and a guest appearance on the album Chieftains 4. For this guest, 30 -year membership in the band. Here was Ding Dong Bell, as he was called, a hugely popular with the fans and the musicians because humorous employees. By his appearance, always in a gray suit, he stood out from the overall image of the band.

Derek Bell, died after a short illness on October 17, 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona ( USA), after he had recorded with the Chieftains album Down the Old Plank Road. Yet he could not be replaced in the band.

During his time as a member of the Chieftains until his death of Buddhism facing Bell also appeared as a composer and solo artist. He played a variety of harps, piano, harpsichord, English horn, oboe and Tiompan (Irish hammered dulcimer). There are the following solo pieces:

  • Carolan 's Receipt (1975 ) - accompanied for part of the Chieftains Derek plays works by Irish composer Turlough O'Carolan
  • Carolan 's Favourite (1980 ) - accompanied for part of the Chieftains Derek plays works by Irish composer Turlough O'Carolan
  • Derek Bell Plays with Himself ( 1981) - solo recordings of works by various composers, played on 8 instruments
  • Ancient Music for the Irish Harp (1981 ) - harp solo recordings for various composers
  • Derek Bell's musical Ireland ( 1983) - well known and popular Irish songs, sometimes accompanied by the Chieftains
  • The Mystic Harp (1996 ) - Works by Donald Waters with orchestral accompaniment
  • Dussek: Duos Concertants / Sonata élégie harmonique (1996 ) - works by Dussek, duos for harp and piano with Joanna Leach
  • A Celtic Evening with Derek Bell ( 1997) - Live recordings of works by various composers
  • Compostions (1998) - original compositions with the Vratza Philharmonic Orchestra (Bulgaria) and soloists
  • Mystic Harp 2 (1999) - Works by Donald Waters with orchestral accompaniment

He was also heard as a guest musician Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Rankin Family, Mark Knopfler, Will Millar and as a member of the Chieftains in countless other projects.

Phoenix (Arizona) The Rankin Family Integrated Authority File
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