Derek Watkins (trumpeter)

Life and career

Derek Watkins was born on 2 March 1945, in Reading, Berkshire England. His great-grandfather had been a brass player in Wales with the Salvation Army. His grandfather taught brass at Reading University and was a founding member of the Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band, which he conducted until he was succeeded by Watkins' father. Watkins learned to play the cornet when he was four years old. He played in the brass band and with his father's dance band at Reading's Majestic Ballroom until he became a professional musician at age 17.

Beginning his professional career in London, Watkins was a member of Jack Dorsey's band at the Astoria Ballroom for two years (1963–65), and then joined Billy Ternent's orchestra at the London Palladium. He then became a freelance musician.

Watkins played in dance bands and big bands led by Ted Heath and John Dankworth, and in 1969 he toured and recorded with Benny Goodman. From 1970 to 1974 he worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles and recorded with The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. He often performed at Dante's jazz club with Louie Bellson and Don Menza, and he played with Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie, who nicknamed Watkins "Mr. Lead". He was a longtime member of the James Last Orchestra.

In the classical realm he made recordings with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra, and also played for opera singers including José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Kiri Te Kanawa.

His discography included the 1988 solo album, Increased Demand.

"Derek Watkins enjoyed an international reputation as one of Britain's best all-round trumpet players," wrote The Times. "He embraced jazz, classical and pop music with equal distinction but was probably best known for his work on the James Bond soundtracks."

Film and television scores

Watkins is most notable for his soundtrack performances on James Bond films starting with The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) when Marvin Hamlisch replaced John Barry in composing for one film in the 007 series. In addition to the later Bond film soundtracks he played on is Bridget Jones's Diary, Basic Instinct, Johnny English, Gladiator, Made in Dagenham, Superman and Superman II. His solo opens Chicago, the Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 2002.

Together with Colin Sheen and Jamie Talbot, Watkins composed incidental music for the TV series Midsomer Murders, and production music for KPM Music Ltd. He co-wrote and performs the music heard in the title sequence for "Murder Is Corny", a 2002 episode of the A&E TV series A Nero Wolfe Mystery.

Teaching and scholarship

Watkins was a professor of trumpet and commercial brass consultant at the Royal Academy of Music. He also began working on instrument development in 1975, consulting with Richard Smith of Boosey & Hawkes on the design of the Sovereign Studio trumpet. In 1985 they set up their own manufacturing company, Smith-Watkins Brass Instruments, which supplies handmade instruments to studio musicians, brass bands and the military.

Death

Derek Watkins died on 22 March 2013, from cancer, aged 68.

Accolades

In April 2013 the Royal Academy of Music announced the creation of the Derek Watkins Chair of Trumpet.

As leader

As sideman

With the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band