Derek Watkins (trumpeter)

Derek Watkins ( born March 2, 1945 in Reading, † March 22, 2013 in Esher, Surrey ) was a British trumpeter who was best known as a member of the orchestra of James Last in Germany.

Childhood

Derek Watkins comes from a musical family, his great-grandfather was brass in the army in Wales, his father taught brass instruments at the University of Reading. Derek started at the age of four years cornet to play and has won many competitions, before he became a professional musician at age 17.

Watkins was married and the father of two children. He died of cancer.

With James Last

Watkins was one of the most important members of the James Last Orchestra. He played there many solo parts, such as the titles MacArthur Park or My Way. Although James Last musicians paid the same, he wanted to make an exception for Watkins, but this declined on the grounds I may have a little more talent, but my colleagues just as I give her best from.

When shooting in the studio he was once an audition recording and found that still missing something, though all the bystanders were totally thrilled. A colleague then said that he should " ... even one octave above draufmachen " to take him on the arm. Derek played again, this time according to the instruction, and all participants believed then that it was physically impossible, which he had just made.

Other activities

Watkins, who was designated by Dizzy Gillespie as " Mr. Lead", worked in the field of jazz in various British big bands and as a studio musician with The Beatles, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He also worked the soundtrack of numerous James Bond films of 007 Dr. No (1962 ) to Skyfall (2012 ) with. As a member of the BBC Big Band, he worked with jazz musicians as John Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson and Benny Goodman. In the field of jazz Watkins worked from 1967 to 2011 at 89 recording sessions.