*
banner

Interview with Mike Lovatt

Mike Lovatt talks about the music makers behind Frank Sinatra — and how he hopes to bring a unique musical flavour to the Golden Era of his recording career.

Mike Lovatt
  Mike Lovatt talked to 4BR Editor Iwan Fox

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

Trumpet star Mike Lovatt talks to 4BR about his forthcoming Brass Pack Frank Sinatra tour with big band singer Matt Ford, as well as his next soprano cornet appearance tackling the music of another Franck — and 'The Accursed Huntsman' at the Spring Festival in Blackpool.

Mike talks about the inspiration behind 'Francis Albert — A Capitol Reprise' and about how he aims to bring something new to the sound of Frank Sinatra's golden recording era.

Local communities

He also explains how he hopes to take the concept out into local communities and link up with education and brass band organisations to inspire the next generation of young players.

All that and he talks a little bit more about his recent foray into the contesting world on soprano cornet — and how he will be doing it again in a few weeks time in Blackpool.

Find out more

To find out more about the tour and the performance at the Harrogate International Festival go to: www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or through Mike's own website at www.mikelovatt.co.uk

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Friary

Result: 2025 Wessex BBA Contest

December 2 • Friary made it a double to celebrate in Wessex.


Willebroek

Results: 2025 Belgian National Championships

December 2 • Brassband Willebroek claims a hat-trick of National titles with Festival Brass heading to Linz with them next year.


milnrow

Result: 2025 Scottish Open

November 30 • Milnrow retains their cross border title in Perth.


swiss

Results: 2025 Swiss National Championships

November 30 • Valaisia Brass Band are champions again as BML Talents, Brass Band Kirchenmusik Fluhli, MG Konkordia Aedermannsdorf, MG Ufhusen and Hinterlander Jugend Brass Band claim the National titles in Lucerne.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Chinnor Silver

December 1 • Having secured promotion to the 1st section from January our Christmas wish is for a Bb BASS and PERCUSSION players to join us.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday in our own bandroom.. Good but realistic book of concerts and contests planned.


Croy Silver Band

December 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Wotton-under-Edge Silver Band

December 1 • Are you looking for a band to compete with at the 2nd Section 2026 Regional Championships? If so, we currently have spaces for- SOLO CORNET - EUPHONIUM - Eb BASS - PERCUSSION. We're a progressive band with exciting engagements planned for 2026.


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd