Derek Watkins

A fine veteran trumpeter from England, Derek Watkins surprisingly led only two albums (1988's Increased Demand for MA Music and 1995's Over the Rainbow with the Brian Lemon Quartet on Zephyr/New Note) in his career. The son and grandson of trumpeters, Watkins began playing trumpet himself when he was six. He first started working in public at 13 in his father's dance band. Developing quickly, Watkins was gigging around London by the time he was 17 and soon became a busy studio musician. He became a member of the big bands of Ted Heath and John Dankworth, worked with the Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Orchestra, and in 1969 toured and recorded with Benny Goodman's big band. Watkins spent 1970-1974 in Los Angeles doing studio work and often playing at Dante's with Louie Bellson and Don Menza, among others. After returning to Europe, Watkins worked with Peter Herbolzheimer, James Last, Phil Woods, the Metropole Orchestra, and the Dutch Radio Big Band, in addition to keeping busy in the studios.