James Watson (trumpeter)
Encyclopedia
Professor James Watson FRAM (4 September 1951 – 6 February 2011) held principal trumpet posts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, Royal Opera House
and London Sinfonietta
. His international chamber music work included the Nash Ensemble
and leading the world-famous Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
. He was particularly active in film and television having recorded with Elton John
, Paul McCartney
and Peter Gabriel
. Watson's conducting positions included Artistic Director of the Black Dyke Mills Band, 1992–2000.
James Watson was Artistic Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales for six years and was Vice-President of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.
He was very active as a teacher and had been Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music
since 2001.
Watson's death was announced on 6 February 2011.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
and London Sinfonietta
London Sinfonietta
The London Sinfonietta is an English chamber orchestra founded in 1968 and based in London. The ensemble specialises in contemporary music and works across a wide range of genres, performing modern classics alongside world premieres, and includes music by electronica artists as well as folk and...
. His international chamber music work included the Nash Ensemble
Nash Ensemble
The Nash Ensemble of London is an acclaimed English chamber ensemble. It was founded by Artistic Director Amelia Freedman in 1964, while she was a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and was named after the Nash Terraces around the Academy...
and leading the world-famous Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, founded in 1951 by trumpeter Philip Jones, was one of the first modern classical brass ensembles to be formed. The group played either as a quintet or as a ten-piece, for larger halls...
. He was particularly active in film and television having recorded with Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
and Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
. Watson's conducting positions included Artistic Director of the Black Dyke Mills Band, 1992–2000.
James Watson was Artistic Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales for six years and was Vice-President of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain.
He was very active as a teacher and had been Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
since 2001.
Watson's death was announced on 6 February 2011.