The Musical Director of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Sandy Smith, has what might be best described as ‘eclectic’ tastes. Brass bands, obviously, as evidenced by his distinguished career working with some of the most respected bands in the UK since the 1980s but lurking not far below the surface is a huge respect and admiration for the work of the Yorkshire Chansonnier, the late Jake Thackray.
‘So’, he thought, ‘why has no-one ever put the two together’?
Formed in 1917, during the First World War, Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a British institution. National and British Open Champions on numerous occasions, the band’s contest successes remain legendary. Grimethorpe’s diverse noted concert performances include those at the FIFA World Cup, BAFTA Awards, BBC Proms, Eurovision and London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The band has been the recipient of two gold discs, as well as a BAFTA nomination for its contributions to the global hit movie “Brassed Off” for which Grimethorpe was the focal point.
Leeds-born Jake Thackray (1938-2002) is increasingly recognised as being one of the greatest English songwriters of the twentieth century, a unique talent, whose songs are full of poetry, wit, irreverence and humanity. He became known to millions through his regular appearances in the 1960s and 1970s on programmes such as Braden’s Week and That’s Life. During his career he performed over 1000 times on television and radio, performed for the royal family and toured the world. His distinctive appearance, deadpan delivery, talent for storytelling, clever wordplay, occasional, artful use of vulgarity and surreal imagination delighted many viewers and outraged some. Since his death in obscurity there has been growing recognition of his genius and a resurgence of interest in his work. His admirers include Jarvis Cocker, Alex Turner, Don Black, Thea Gilmore, Cerys Matthews, Benjamin Clementine and Neil Gaiman.
John Watterson is the UK’s leading performer of Jake’s songs. As Fake Thackray he has toured with Fairport Convention and performed at Latitude, Cropredy and the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. He has also played for Jake’s family. John has appeared many times on radio, including Radio 4’s Great Lives, a recent Radio 2 documentary on Jake presented by Cerys Matthews and Radio 3’s The Verb hosted by Ian McMillan.
John says, ‘When Sandy contacted me and explained his idea of combining Jake’s wonderful wordsmithery with the magnificent music of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, I was immediately very excited about the project and hugely honoured to be involved. We have selected some of Jake’s finest songs for this concert, recalling some of his most off the wall characters – amorous statues coming to life, transvestite Nuns, the ladies of Castleford and their devillish antics, as well as quirky love songs and a satirical song which could well have been written for the turbulent politics of our time. All this wrapped up in the sublime music of the Grimethorpe Band – what a combination!’
Tickets available here – https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/grimethorpe-colliery-band
More information on the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band here – http://www.grimethorpeband.co.uk/
More information on John Watterson – www.fakethackray.com