Appreciation Of David James
David James: an Appreciation
I first met David James as a fresh faced 18 year old trumpet player entering my first year at Huddersfield University in 1984. He was a man at the top of his profession with an aura and flamboyance that was immediately infectious and completely inspiring. He could assess where a player was at, where they needed to be, and most importantly how to get there in the space of a few notes.
I am sure that many people will have anecdotes about David James. I remember him stopping a band rehearsal and getting big Dai Short (who must have weighed at least 15 stone at the time) to stand on his diaphragm while he played a top C. Impressive stuff. He went into hospital for a hernia operation four weeks later!
Many of his pupils from this time will have received the Silk Cut treatment to rectify fingers hanging over the top of valves, and I recall with great fondness the inimitable Welsh accent proclaiming "Bloody Hell".
He was conducting Grimethorpe in this period of his career and I can recall a performance of George Lloyds "Diversions on a Bass Theme" at the Yorkshire Areas that absolutely blew me away. His direction had a style and panache that brought out every nuance in the music and had us all on the edge of our seats.
His pupils held him in the highest of regards. We knew not only did we have one of the best teachers of our generation, we had a friend who would help us in any way he could. How many students were given a 2 hour rehearsal with Grimethorpe Colliery Band to get a recording of their meagre compositions? This was a luxury he afforded me. He gave me a glittering reference, one I barely deserved, that helped me start my teaching career and for that I will be eternally grateful.
David was the kind of character that lit up a room and made you want to be a musician. As with many of his ex pupils, I constantly refer back to the things he taught me and the strategies and exercises he used (unfortunately, standing on a child's diaphragm is now outlawed!).
He was an inspirational teacher, musician, and more importantly human being. Of the many sayings he had there is one that seems particularly pertinent at this time: "Life is not a dress rehearsal, this is the performance!" Jamesey, from all that knew you and held you dear, BRAVO.
R.J.Hume
3/3/10
