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John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)

Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator

John Durrant

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Born on the east coast of England, John Durrant started playing at the age of ten and played initially in local bands playing the trumpet and cornet and soprano cornet.

John played his first professional engagement a pier show at the age of fourteen and although later trained as a classical player his early playing sparked an enduring interest in light music, jazz and of course brass bands.

Whilst studying with Edgar Riches in London, he was spotted as a young talent by the late Philip Jones C.B.E. who kindly gave John lessons free of charge and greatly influenced him as a musician and a brass player and John won an open scholarship to the Royal College of Music where he studied with Richard “Bob” Walton. He worked with Philip Jones again whilst teaching the trumpet at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music and has also been a visiting teacher and lecturer at the City of Liverpool College, University of East Anglia and Anglia Ruskin University.

His band recordings include an acclaimed version of the Raphael Mendez solo La Virgen de la Macarena and more modern solos such as the funk-based Blue Ice written for him by Dr John Halton while Musical Director of the Barrow Shipyard Band, with whom he made two National Finals appearances.

He has played in and conducted many bands over a 50 year link with the brass band world both as a player, conductor ,compose arranger and adjudicator including Coppul, Hogarth’s Preston (Warburtons Bakery), Leyland, Ransome, Hanwell, Guernsey Brass, Woking Band , Greggs Bakery, Mathews Norfolk Brass,City of Oxford, and many more many of whom have enjoyed contest success, often by clear points. Soon to added to the list will be his friends at Sovereign Brass in Birmingham UK.

John has played in a wide range of professional groups in Europe, Japan, Africa and of course the United Kingdom and Channel Islands , including the Gerry Bosman Pops Orchestra ,the SABC symphony orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra, jazz and recording orchestras for films and television. John has also appeared as Harry James headlining in several Swing Gala productions. The summer of 2018 saw a sell-out season at the Babylon Arts Centre in Cambridgeshire headlining in “Jazz at the Babylon”.

As a soloist John has recorded many works, including the cult recording Recital Gems for Trumpet and Piano with the well known pianist Russell Lomas, soon to be re-mastered and has led sections in studios across the world, recording music scores for such projects as diverse as, “The Bible” and Miss World. John has also worked with the music producer, Bruce Cassidy, formerly of Blood Sweat and Tears, working in what was then one of the most advanced recording studios in the world near Sun City.

John has recently composed, edited and arranged music for the professional theatre, including music for Ages of Man with RSC, film and television actor, Andrew Jarvis for the King’s Lynn Shakespeare Festival which was also starring Sir Ian McKellen.

John’s pupils have consistently gained places at major music conservatories and universities and have had success in competitions such as BBC Young Musician of the Year. He is now in demand as a clinician and tutor in addition to his work as trumpet player, composer and arranger, classical, baroque and big band soloist and of course, conductor.

"More than technical brilliance ,the magical stick-wielding hands" — Pauline Griffiths The Music Teacher

"I have to say immediately how impressed I have been by the superb standard of the band and especially of the soloists. I should mention the brilliant cornet pyrotechnics of John Durrant in 'La Virgen de la Macarena' (which is also his arrangement)." — Gary Higginson

"The soloists contributions are first class" — 4barsrest
"Splendid trumpet section" — EDP

 

 



Barnsley Brass - Quiz Me Baby One More Time

Saturday 17 May • Worsbrough Miners Welfare. Park Road. Worsbrough Bridge. Barnsley S70 5LJ


Dobcross Silver Band - 150th Anniversary and reunion Concert

Sunday 18 May • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


The Hepworth Band - Albie Sugden Foundation Charity Concert

Saturday 24 May • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Ocean Brass - Segalula A Capella

Saturday 31 May • Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop's Waltham SO32 1ED


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Newstead Brass

May 12 • Newstead Brass is looking to recruit a PRINCIPAL CORNET player to join our ambitious and hardworking Championship Section band.. . With an exciting schedule ahead, this is a rare chance to join our ranks as we look to achieve further success as a team.


Lofthouse2000 Brass Band

May 12 • Lofthouse are currently recruiting for Kit, Bass (Bb & Eb), Baritone, Bass Trombone and Cornets. We are a 3rd section contesting band with regular concerts and events throughout the year and would love to fill our happy team with keen players.


Petworth Town Band

May 12 • Petworth Town. Band have vacancies for CORNETS and TUBA. We are an enthusiastic non contesting band with a thriving list of concerts and engagements throughout the year and are led by our passionate and inspirational MD Paula Streeter.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

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