James Watson (2)

British classical trumpeter & cornettist, conductor, and Professor of Trumpet. Born 4 September 1951 in Leicestershire, England, UK - Died 6 February 2011 in London, England, UK. For the Scottish jazz trumpeter (born in 1922), please use Jimmy Watson (2). At the age of 11, he became Principal Cornet of The Desford Colliery Band. He went on to study the trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, after which, at the age of 22, he was appointed Principal Trumpet with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (the youngest Principal Trumpet in the orchestra's history). He remained with the RPO until 1978, acting also in those years (1974-1982) as Principal Trumpet for the London Sinfonietta, The Nash Ensemble and the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. From 1983 to 1990, he was the Principal Trumpeter at the Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. His conducting positions included Artistic Director of The Black Dyke Mills Band from 1992 to 2000. He 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 Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music from 2001 until his death. Father of Tom Watson (19) and William Watson (3).