22/03/15 -
I've just heard from Derek Daniels' wife and son
that Derek passed away this morning after a lengthy
battle against cancer. Derek was a musician and
played various instruments in his life, and although
I only heard him play keyboard, I knew he had a drum
kit and could play trumpet. He was also a jazz
promoter, and ran Moor Park Jazz Club before moving
to The Crofters Hotel at Garstang where he continued
to put on various bands. His heart was really into
big band music, but he enjoyed bringing pleasure to
those that liked to listen to Traditional Jazz. He
will be sadly missed.
Fred Burnett
This article appeared in
Lancashire Evening Post 10 years ago
22/03/15
-
Sorry to
hear
that
Fred, I
liked
Derek a
lot
although
I didn't
see him
all that
often.
Laurie
Cooper
23/03/15
-
Very
sorry to
hear
that
Derek
Daniels
has
finally
left us.
He was
one of
those
invaluable
people
who run
the
venues
at which
we musos
are
fortunate
enough
to play,
and like
so many,
I always
enjoyed
appearing
for him,
first at
Moor
Park,
and then
at
Crofters.
His
input
into the
NW jazz
scene
was much
valued
by
musicians
and is
sadly
missed.
Jazz
promotion
can be a
thankless
task,
but
Derek
stuck to
it with
hard
work and
dedication,
even on
those
occasions
when
support
was poor
and he
had to
dip into
his own
pocket
to keep
things
on
track.
He was
always
friendly
and down
to earth
and
liked a
good
chat –
if you
were in
a phone
conversation
with
him,
better
not be
in a
hurry to
get
anywhere!
He knew
what
styles
of jazz
he liked
(particularly
mainstream
and big
band),
but was
always
willing
to put
on other
styles
to cater
for his
audience’s
tastes.
Above
all, as
a player
himself,
he
appreciated
good
musicianship
and
bands
that
really
swing.
Another
great
love of
his was
rugby
league,
particularly
the
Wigan
Warriors,
and as a
St
Helens
supporter
I really
enjoyed
crossing
swords
with
him,
thus
making
the
phone
conversation
even
longer!
Many
thanks
to Derek
for all
his hard
work and
sincere
condolences
to his
family.
Keith
Allcock.
23/03/15
-
He was a
lovely
chap and
gave
great
support
for jazz
as a
whole.
Our
band,
The Jazz
Gentlemen,
always
looked
forward
to our
Crofters
gig and
Derek
will be
greatly
missed.
Our
thoughts
are with
his
family
at this
sad
time.
Derek
Skepper
26/03/15 -
Deeply saddened
to hear of Derek's passing. He used to come with his son
Jack when Jack and I played in the Ray Taylor Swing Band
a few years ago. He would sit with my dad (now also no
longer with us) and help him when his mobility was
deteriorating, I'm sure he prevented my dad from having
more than one tumble. Derek was really helpful in
providing arrangements when I set up my own big band and
for this I will be forever in his debt. A lovely guy who
I'm sure will be deeply missed. Thoughts with Jack and
the family.
Paul Marks
09/04/15 -
Derek Daniels was MY sort of jazz promoter. He loved
mainstream and Big Band jazz which was why he booked the
Peter Frank Allstars. No, this is not a commercial for
our band. He loved Martin Boyd on alto and my 'Billy
Butterfield' style simply because that was the music he
associated with. We played a programme especially for
Derek when we went up to Garstang. Thanks Fred for
introducing us to Derek's promotion and thanks Derek for
the privilege of playing for you. Now come on Young Jack
Daniels. You have the trumpet technique to do your Dad
proud just as I did when my Dad passed away. Go
for it.
Ian Royle
The Eulogy
Jane
E. Boast
Celebration of Life Ministries
Memories and
Reflections of Derek’s life.
Derek was born
in Wigan on the 29th September 1935 and he has a twin
sister Dorothy who lives in South Africa.
As a child he attended Beech Hill school in Wigan where
he certainly left a lasting impression as he trapped his
fingers in the school gate and left a little bit of his
finger behind, sorry it’s a bit gruesome but it’s a
story he would share with Jaquie whenever they went by
his former school in Wigan.
Jaquie and Jack married 17 years ago and they share one
son, Jack, - as a family Jaquie and Jack shared Derek’s
love of Wigan in that he was a passionate fan of Wigan
Warriors, a passion he shared with Jaquie and Jack and
they travelled together as a family to watch their team
play both at home and away.
They also travelled, to the Isle of Man, - to the Jazz
festivals over there, Derek shared a great love of Jazz
with artists such as Nat Gonella.
Going back to Derek’s younger days, as a young man, when
Derek entered the world of work he started as a welder
on the Ocean Fleet ships in Liverpool Docks where he
worked for many years.
Derek moved to the Standish area for a while running the
Langtrees Restaurant in Standish and he then moved to
Preston where he played Drums and Trumpet for the
Courtaulds Club with his friend Mike who played the
organ and he also played for the Holy Family Club.
Derek was a very talented and accomplished musician and
he was self taught, it is a measure of the man to work
as hard as he must have done, not just to learn to play
a musical instrument, - which is difficult enough – but
to learn to play multiple instruments - and to be good
enough to do it as a profession, shows, - self
discipline, - - dedication and hard work, Derek should
be admired and applauded for his tremendous
achievements.
Derek’s talents, however, were not just confined to his
personal musical talents but also to include his skills
in running the Moor Park Jazz club and the Crofters Jazz
Club in Garstang.
His skills also included teaching and motivating, - as
can be borne out by his son Jack whom he taught to play
the trumpet to a level that has seen him playing with
the Lancashire Youth Orchestra and the Blackburn and
Darwen Big Band.
What an amazing legacy, to be able to motivate someone
who was, by his own admission, - at first reluctant, -
but now so very grateful that Derek persisted in his
teaching Jack to a level where Derek stated that Jack
had become so proficient that Derek felt could not teach
Jack any more, - as the pupil had become a better player
than the teacher, what an amazing legacy to leave to his
son, he must have been so proud of his son Jack’s
achievements.
And as a special message, from Jack to his Dad, “Nothing
can take away the special place that a Dad has in our
heart, and the memories you shared will stay with you
always”.
I would now like to share a few words with you and it
could be what Derek would say if he could speak to you
all here today,
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is
done
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the
ways
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny
days
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the
sun
Thoughts of happy memories that I leave when I am gone.
Anon
Derek was a very special husband and dad and he is at
peace now and he will live on in the hearts and minds of
his family and friends and all who knew him, forever.
