Jackfield Elcock Reisen Band has announced the appointment of James Roberts as their new principal cornet. James joins from Sovereign Brass.

Completed studies

James has recently completed his Batchelor of Music at the Birmingham Conservatoire, where his instrumental tutors were Ian Porthouse and Richard Marshall and is now studying for a PGCE at Birmingham City University.

His first appearance with the band will be at the Pontin’s Championships this weekend.

I was delighted to be invited to join the band as their new principal cornet, especially as they are my home town band James Roberts

Delighted

James told 4BR: "I was delighted to be invited to join the band as their new principal cornet, especially as they are my home town band. I hope I will be an active member many years ahead and I am very pleased to come under the musical direction of Simon Platford again in my musical career."

New signings

Additional signings for the band come in the form of father and son John and Mitch Siviter, whilst an internal shuffle sees Gayle Bussey move to flugel, Ian Burns to cornet and Jean Colley to horn.