Mike Lovatt 56 Degrees North Solo Album Booklet

with

Recording Engineering & Mixing : Adam Goldsmith & Melissa Dee Produced by : Adam Goldsmith for World of Sound |worldofsound.uk.com

FODEN’S BAND

Recorded at : Hallé at St Michael’s Manchester Mike Lovatt Photography : Mikaela Morgan | mikaelamorgan.co.uk

This album is dedicated to the memory of my dear brother Dave.

He was and continues to be an inspiring musical influence in my life.

Recording Session Videography & Photography : Hollie Harmsworth | Graham Cooper | followfilms.co.uk Recording Studio & Guest Artists Photography : Ann Lovatt Scotland Photography : Jason Tyldsley Editorial : Sarah Lowther | copytaster.co.uk Graphic Design : Derek Lawton | rocketcreative.co.uk © 2018. All Rights Reserved. CD Catalogue No : WOS 139

PAUL FISHER | MICHAEL FOWLES | Colin Skinner With Special Guests

Philip Cobb | Danny Marsden | Gareth Small | Jeremy Brown | Graham Harvey | Matt Skelton

Playing along to records of the world’s finest trumpeters in my bedroom after school, I dreamed of recording my own album.

Four decades on that wish has become a reality.

This album’s journey started in 2017 with a solo concert I played with Foden’s Band directed by Michael Fowles. As someone who had never really heard a Brass Band up close before it was a moment I’ll never forget. Its sound, virtuosity and musicianship blew me away.

Sharing the platform with Foden’s that day was Amersham Band directed by my friend and colleague Paul Fisher. He became the driving force behind this project and without Paul, 56 Degrees North would only be co-ordinates on a map. I am delighted both Paul and Michael Fowles agreed to jointly direct Foden’s with such artistry, musicianship and skill.

From my beginnings as a classically trained trumpet player, the influences of the great musicians of the Hollywood MGM era and the swing players of the Big Band and Jazz scene have dominated my career path. The challenge of how to fuse my playing style successfully with a Brass Band when no suitable music really existed was met by Colin Skinner one of my oldest, dearest and multi-talented friends. Colin has written some stunning new tunes and crafted exciting new arrangements for this album which represent the breadth of my many musical influences.

I am indebted to him for bringing together this collaboration with passion, dedication and flair.

From the outset it was very important to me that the incredible versatility of Foden’s Band was showcased, and this wasn’t just another solo trumpet album.

It’s impossible to explain the choice of music you’ll hear without first acknowledging the profound influence of my parents. My mum Sheila was a fine soprano with the local choral society and my father Ken was head of music at a secondary school.

Early in his career he began to collect instruments and taught himself to play them.

There were no peripatetic teachers in those days and he wanted to be able to teach well enough to form a youth orchestra within the school. By the time he retired he was conducting an orchestra of about 70 children! The trumpet was one of the many instruments lying around the house and the one that shaped my life.

The first thing you will hear is ‘Mame’ the title track from the musical by Jerry Herman. Aged 12, I heard the great Kenny Baker perform this on a record and it was one of the tracks I played along to after school for hours on end.

In 2013 I was fortunate enough to become custodian of much of Kenny’s original library, thanks to the generosity of his widow Sue Baker.

Colin’s arrangement from Roland Shaw’s original captures the spirit of the recording I knew and loved, and in tribute to him the solo part remains true to Kenny’s rendition.

Alongside Kenny, I was inspired by the great American Jazz tradition hence my inclusion of a medley celebrating the genius of Louis Armstrong.

Big Bands such as The Syd Lawrence Orchestra and The Ted Heath Orchestra were also part of my everyday listening. I was in awe of the amazing lead trumpeters Bobby Pratt and Bert Ezard. The duet with my great friend Danny Marsden on ‘If Ever I Would Leave You’ is included as a mark of my respect to those men and that tradition.

In the UK, the Brass Band movement is at the heart of the unique sound we brass players produce.

Most of the musicians mentioned so far grew up playing in Brass Bands.

I was lucky enough to work alongside the great Maurice Murphy, who was the former principal trumpet of The London Symphony Orchestra.

When I first played Colin’s ‘Trumpet Rhapsody,’ it was Maurice’s sound I had in my head. He had a unique quality to his sound, and alongside his

The making of this album has been a truly collaborative experience. I am proud to have been immersed in it with some truly exceptional people.

In particular I have been lucky enough to persuade three world class musicians, Jeremy Brown, Graham Harvey and Matt Skelton, to enhance this work by being the jazz rhythm section of my dreams. Thank you guys for everything you brought to this.

The four original tracks specially written for this recording are the icing on the cake, and I thank Colin Skinner and Andrew Smith for their outstanding compositions.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my father-in-law George Morfee who sadly passed away in 2017.

George was a passionate musician who on being demobbed after WW2 spent his entire funds given to start a new life on a Steinway Grand Piano.

A reckless but heart-felt decision which altered and shaped his, and eventually my life. Without him this album may never have happened.

George was a mountaineer, and not only does the album title 56 Degrees North point to Crossford his exact place of birth in Scotland, but the pictures you see of the Scottish landscape celebrate his life and remind me of his faith in me.

Those are the major influences woven into this album. The biggest is my darling wife Ann for her constant love and support. I simply couldn’t have done any of this without you, your amazing drive and beautiful spirit.

foden’s band 2018 national brass band champions of great britain

Principal Cornet : Mark Wilkinson

michael fowles Musical Director

paul fisher

Guest Musical Director

Solo Cornets : Paul McDonald, Darren Lea, Andrew Blackledge Soprano Cornet : Richard Poole Repiano Cornet : Anna Hughes-Williams

Solo Euphonium : Gary Curtin 2nd Euphonium : Mark Bousie, Adam Bokaris Solo Baritone : Hal Walker 2nd Baritone : Mike Warriner

Solo Trombone : John Barber 2nd Cornets : Ian Raisbeck, Adrian Beresford 2nd Trombone : Nick Birch, Ben Knowles Bass Trombone : Shaun Farrington 3rd Cornets : Robin Basu, Andrew Rolfe Bb Basses : Andy Cattanach, Ryan O’Grady Flugel Horn : Melanie Whyle Eb Basses : Stewart Baglin, Iain McKnight Solo Horn : Jonny Bates Percussion : Mark Landon, Anthony Mann, Eve Knowles 1st Horn : Nat Martin Band website : fodensband.co.uk 2nd Horn : Andrew Howard-Smith

special guests

philip cobb Trumpet

Photograph : Cliff Parker

natural virtuosity his ability to play a melody was second to none. It’s a great privilege to perform alongside both his successor Philip Cobb and Gareth Small another great principal trumpet from the Hallé Orchestra on ‘Song of Hope.’

Written by Peter Meechan, ‘Song of Hope’ was originally part of a concerto for Foden’s principal cornet Mark Wilkinson. It has since been rearranged as a trumpet trio and become an anthem for Cancer Blows, a special charity set up by Ryan Anthony, principal trumpet of The Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This moving music is dedicated to Ryan and all those suffering from, or who have passed away because of cancer.

During my life as a session musician, I have been fortunate enough to work within a trumpet section not only with Maurice Murphy but also with the late Derek Watkins. He too came up through the Brass Band movement playing in his father’s band in Reading before rising to the very top of the British Jazz and Session scene. Derek is remembered for being the lead trumpet on many Bond movies. His stratospheric and charismatic playing is known throughout the world. Derek’s beautiful flugel sound on ‘For Your Eyes Only’ inspired my performance of ‘Song for Fyfe.’

Since 1998 I have been the principal trumpet of The John Wilson Orchestra, playing great movie musical scores from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

There are many moments on this album which reflect the love that I have for not only the music but the incredible musicians from the studio orchestras of that era. In particular the legendary Uan Rasey, principal trumpet of the MGM Studio Orchestra. ‘Chinatown’ is my personal tribute to this great man who helped me shape my sound.

danny marsden Trumpet

gareth small Trumpet

jeremy brown Double Bass

graham harvey Piano

matt skelton Drums

01 : MAME* Jerry Herman / Arranged Roland Shaw / Colin Skinner

I’m unofficially the curator of the Roland Shaw music library and it is from his original score for a legendary Kenny Baker album that this version is adapted. Roland’s prolific career started in the 1940s, and he was still hard at it well into the new century. As a result, I no longer have a spare room.

He also provided many fine arrangements for The Syd Lawrence Orchestra that were an inspiration to play and analyse. I’d like to dedicate this to his memory, as well as that of Kenny.

02 : UNDER MOUNT LEE* Various / Arranged Colin Skinner

colin skinner

Composer | Arranger | Saxophonist Composer and arranger Colin Skinner is in demand throughout the UK as a writer for Big Bands including The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, The BBC Big Band and his co-led big band The Skelton Skinner All Stars. His music and arrangements have been commissioned and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, The John Wilson Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Several of Colin’s choral works have been performed by the BBC Singers and his recent exploration into the brass world has included commissions from Superbrass and Onyx Brass.

Sought after for his TV, Film and Theatre music, Colin provided additional orchestrations for the Bobby Darin biopic ‘Beyond The Sea.’ He has also written for ITV Drama and was orchestrator for the musical ‘Sinatra’ at the London Palladium.

This was the first arrangement I worked on after Mike discussed the project with me. His playing of the music from the Golden Age of Hollywood with The John Wilson Orchestra is beyond compare and so this medley, taken from five of the great film musicals, was a “must do.”

03 : WEARY LADDIE** Colin Skinner

Whilst my wonderful wife Nicole was busy giving birth, I helped out in the most useful way I could, by writing a wee tune. Here is the result, dedicated to our first son Tom.

04 : IF EVER I WOULD LEAVE YOU** Frederick Loewe / Arr. Colin Skinner

Trumpet duets featuring Bobby Pratt and Bert Ezard were a feature of every Ted Heath band concert and I’ve tried to emulate my fellow “Edinburger” Johnny Keating here. John was responsible for much of Ted’s library and another inspiration to me (despite the fact that he supported Hibs, not Hearts).

Mike and Danny do the memory of two of our finest lead trumpeters proud.

05 : EL GATO** Duke Ellington / Arranged Colin Skinner

This is a tribute to the stratospheric Cat Anderson who for years provided Duke Ellington with trumpet notes so high that only dogs could hear them!

Almost at least. Listen to the cornets, led by Mike, eating up the soli sections.

06 : SO MANY STARS**

Sérgio Mendes / Arranged Colin Skinner

Mike’s flugelhorn is the star here, dancing from constellation to constellation without ever firing any rockets as we pass some asteroids along the way (an old vinyl sleeve note might have said).

07 : RHAPSODY FOR TRUMPET* Colin Skinner

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write something in a more traditional brass band style. It opens with a bright, angular march followed by a gentle, almost Viennese waltz section. The original theme interrupts the calm and there follows a brief cadenza from Mike. This piece is dedicated to the aspiring mountaineer Aleksander Sergot.

08 : SONG FOR FYFE** Colin Skinner

As any parent understands, what you do for one you have to do for the other and so, as Nicole went into labour for a second time, I got back to the manuscript. This is dedicated to our final offspring and is inspired by the brass ensemble writing of Kenny Wheeler.

09 : POPPY DANCE*

Andrew Smith / Arranged Colin Skinner

Andrew Smith, as well as being a very successful composer, also clearly has a rare talent for writing ‘hooky’ melodies as witnessed here. I hope this arrangement conveys a sense of the innocent fun suggested to me by his tune.

10 : song of hope* Peter Meechan

Written by Peter Meechan, ‘Song of Hope’ was originally part of a concerto for Foden’s principal cornet Mark Wilkinson. It has since been rearranged as a trumpet trio and become an anthem for Cancer Blows, a special charity set up by Ryan Anthony, principal trumpet of The Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This moving music is dedicated to Ryan and all those suffering from, or who have passed away because of cancer. cancerblows.com

11 : PURE IMAGINATION* Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley / Arr. Colin Skinner

In another life, as the baritone sax / bassoon player on the West End show Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, I played this song hundreds of times. It was therefore a great relief to discover that Pure Imagination hadn’t resulted in my creative incapacitation. Truly, the sign of a great song.

12 : POPS IS TOPS** Various / Arranged Colin Skinner

There are a few quotes from some early jazz standards here set against some unabashed Armstrong favourites. Mike plays Satchmo’s original recorded solo on La Vie En Rose and I’ve tried for a hint of French accordion sound in the backings. The luxury of a great jazz rhythm section driving the swinging shout chorus along is the icing on the cake.

13 : CHINATOWN*

Jerry Goldsmith / Adapted Colin Skinner

Jerry Goldsmith’s evocative melody is so perfectly suited to the trumpet that I can’t imagine hearing it played on any other instrument. I stayed true to the original film soundtrack, even to the extent of having Graham Harvey strum with his fingers on the piano strings.

As a saxophone player I haven’t often been exposed to the live sound of a brass band up to now, and so experiencing Foden’s sublime, shimmering sonority up close for two whole days was an unforgettable experience. I’d like to thank Mike Fowles and Paul Fisher for their advice and encouragement and Adam Goldsmith for his remarkable musical ears and stamina.

Mike Lovatt has been a great friend and musical colleague ever since I made the journey down to London and the two of us headed off in his Ford Fiesta (probably still on the road) to another gig.

I’d like to thank him for inviting me to be a part of 56 Degrees North and for showing such faith in my writing.

There have been a handful of musicians it’s been my privilege to work with who have the ability to make any organisation immediately sound better just by their presence and commitment. Mike is one of those players and listening to him on this album constantly sends a shiver of excitement down my spine.

That’s what it’s all about.

*Conducted by Michael Fowles | **Conducted by Paul Fisher Colin Skinner

Special thanks to Peter Meechan and Andrew ‘Andy’ Smith

Peter Meechan

The music of Canadian-based British composer Peter Meechan has been commissioned, recorded, broadcast and extensively performed by some of the world’s leading wind orchestras, brass bands, conductors and soloists.

He is proud to hold the post of ‘Musical Andy Smith Associate’ with Foden’s Band.

Peter’s music is featured on over 100 commercial recordings. In 2014 his work “The Legend of King Arthur” was used as the set test piece at the British National Brass Band Championships, held in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Peter was the first ever ‘Young Composer in Association’ with the Black Dyke Band, where he went on to serve as their ‘Composer in Residence’, a position he also held between 2012 – 2015 with The Band of the Coldstream Guards.

Peter Meechan’s music is principally published by his own publishing house, Meechan Music.

Andy Smith is a composer, arranger / orchestrator, copyist and musician. Born in Ossett, West Yorkshire his musical career began at the London College of Music where he studied classical organ and orchestral conducting. In addition to performing he became a product specialist with Technics Musical Instruments. Andy went on to work in music preparation for films including ‘Batman Begins’, ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘Les Misérables’ and musicals such as ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Love Never Dies’ and ‘Woman in White.’ Andy’s work as an arranger / composer can be heard with his Celtic albums ‘Celtic Goddesses’ and ‘Celtic Landscapes.’ His music is always inspired by places and people. Andy said: “When you hear Mike Lovatt play you simply want to write for him. I wrote a piece for him to perform on Remembrance Day 2017 and I am delighted he has chosen to include it in this wonderful album. It is one of the highlights of my musical career.”

My heartfelt thanks goes to the many talented people who have all contributed to the making of this album Paul Fisher | Michael Fowles | Colin Skinner | Jeremy Brown | Graham Harvey | Matt Skelton Philip Cobb | Danny Marsden | Gareth Small | Mark Wilkinson Foden’s Band | Adam Goldsmith Melissa Dee | Stuart Fowler | Glenn Munro | Nicole Wilson | Derek Lawton | Joel McNeely Mikaela Morgan | Follow Films | Jason Tyldsley | Sarah Lowther Norman Burgess | Ron Fargher | Bobby Lamb | Amersham Band | Dr. Richard Smith Richard Wright | James New | Smith-Watkins | Abhi Chakrabarti | Gard Bags Martin Glynn at Hallé St. Michael’s

Seth MacFarlane Los Angeles, October 2018

Photograph : Frank Micelotta

Seth MacFarlane | John Wilson | Tom Croxon | Uan Rasey | Kenny and Sue Baker

I’ve always had a real appreciation for great orchestras and artful, sophisticated orchestrations.

The almost limitless variety of colours, moods, rhythms and emotions that an orchestra can conjure exists nowhere else in the world of recorded music.

It was through this passion that I first became familiar with the brilliance of Mike Lovatt. I’d long been a fan and an enthusiastic collaborator with the great John Wilson and his magnificent Orchestra. My ear was repeatedly drawn to the powerful yet always warm sound of the 1st trumpet. His playing so perfectly captured the stylistic nuances of the great trumpeters of the MGM contract orchestras from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Since that time, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy many collaborations with Mike Lovatt: through The John Wilson Orchestra, and later on my own records. Mike’s playing is by turns both powerful and commanding, leading the hard charging brass at one moment, and soulfully quiet and introspective in another.

I once asked Mike how it was possible that such a small island produced so much of the world’s greatest brass playing.

He told me about the long tradition of British brass bands and how every region had their own particular band. Much regional pride was generated from the different bands, and the quality of musicianship soared over the years. Those traditions are going stronger than ever today with groups like the Foden’s Band, with which Mike collaborates with on his new album, 56 Degrees North. The swinging and inventive arrangements are the perfect showcase for Mike’s unmatched playing.

Jerry Goldsmith’s classic theme to the movie ‘Chinatown’ is a stunner. Mike exquisitely captures the mood of the original, while at the same time bringing his own unique flair to the legendary trumpet solo.

Mike Lovatt is, in my estimation, the finest trumpet player alive. I hope you enjoy his amazing sound as much as I do.