The death has been announced today (Thursday March 1st) of former Cory Band principal cornet player Ian Williams. He was aged 52 and had been in intensive care in hospital following a heart attack two weeks ago.

Regarded as one of the finest ever Welsh cornet players, he was a remarkable talent and a player universally respected and held in their very highest regard throughout the world of banding.

Ian has been part of the fabric of Cory Band for decades — one of the most talented cornet players ever to come out of Wales, an inspirational leader, and with a hugely warm and generous personalityCory Band

Formal statement

A formal statement on the Cory Band Facebook page read as follows:

We are absolutely devastated to announce the tragic news that our member and ex-principal Cornet player Ian Williams has passed away today after suffering a heart attack two weeks ago.

At just 52 years old, Ian was Principal Cornet with Cory for 20 years and retired from the seat in January 2010.

Musical Director Philip Harper comments: "Everyone at Cory Band is utterly devastated by this tragic news, and it seems incomprehensible that I am even writing these words — we're all just numb about this.

Ian has been part of the fabric of Cory Band for decades — one of the most talented cornet players ever to come out of Wales, an inspirational leader, and with a hugely warm and generous personality.

Although he hasn't played with the band for a year or two, so many of our members were still in regular contact with him and we all considered him to be a continuing part of our team.

His cornet playing will never be forgotten and was inspirational to so many, and he won plaudit after plaudit for his musical skills. He led by example, he was the model bandsman and team member, and his positivity influenced every situation with which he was involved.

When I was new to Cory, he taught me so much about the 'Cory way' and was always unfailingly encouraging. I regularly spoke to him for advice if I had any difficult decisions to make, the last time being just a few weeks ago. He was a loyal friend to so many of us, with a real streak of boyish mischief in him too! He was loved and deeply respected by everyone at Cory.

We are all finding it very difficult to come to terms with what has happened. There is no doubt that we have lost one of our organisation's leading lights today."

RIP — The Legend that will always be Ian Williams.

It is understood further details will be released in due course.