This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21912217
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| James Bond trumpeter Derek Watkins dies | James Bond trumpeter Derek Watkins dies |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Derek Watkins, the British trumpet player who played on every James Bond film soundtrack from Dr No to Skyfall, has died aged 68. | Derek Watkins, the British trumpet player who played on every James Bond film soundtrack from Dr No to Skyfall, has died aged 68. |
| He died at home in Esher, Surrey, on Friday after a lengthy illness - Philip Biggs, editor of the Brass Herald said. | He died at home in Esher, Surrey, on Friday after a lengthy illness - Philip Biggs, editor of the Brass Herald said. |
| Watkins was "widely considered to be the foremost British Big Band trumpet player" of all time, said Mr Biggs. | Watkins was "widely considered to be the foremost British Big Band trumpet player" of all time, said Mr Biggs. |
| The trumpeter, who turned professional aged 17, is survived by his wife Wendy and their three children. | The trumpeter, who turned professional aged 17, is survived by his wife Wendy and their three children. |
| He was born into a brass band family and was taught to play the cornet at the age of four by his father. | He was born into a brass band family and was taught to play the cornet at the age of four by his father. |
| Watkins then played in the band his father conducted - the Spring Gardens Brass Band in Reading - of which his grandfather was also conductor and a founder member. | |
| He also played with his father's dance band before turning professional. | He also played with his father's dance band before turning professional. |
| Watkins was described as "Mr Lead" by jazz great Dizzy Gillespie; as well as the Bond films he played with the Beatles, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra during his lengthy career. | Watkins was described as "Mr Lead" by jazz great Dizzy Gillespie; as well as the Bond films he played with the Beatles, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra during his lengthy career. |
| The trumpeter played with the BBC Big Band and performed for prominent jazz musicians Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson and Benny Goodman. | The trumpeter played with the BBC Big Band and performed for prominent jazz musicians Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson and Benny Goodman. |
| Mr Biggs described his friend as "a people's person - no side, no ego, a fun loving musician who couldn't get enough of life, who loved his family". | Mr Biggs described his friend as "a people's person - no side, no ego, a fun loving musician who couldn't get enough of life, who loved his family". |