Derek was a member of the MU for 57 years.
Derek Kimber was born in Wroughton, Wiltshire and started learning the cornet at the age of ten. By fourteen he was playing solo cornet in Wroughton Silver Band, prompting a lifelong love of performing. He completed his national service in the 16th/5th Queens Royal Lancers and was a member of their military band.
After marrying Margaret, Derek moved to Devizes. During the 1960’s and 70’s he played trumpet in the MJQ dance band and then in various jazz bands – The Jazz Jiants, Joe’s Jazz Jumpers, Bernard Wight Quartet, John Currie’s Hot Stuff and Doug Ellis 4+1. Derek also played in the Mid-Wilts and Opus One Big Bands.
A life in jazz and live performance
In later years Derek performed alongside Ray Butt in various combinations under the stage names ‘Ray’s Jazz Band’ and ‘Fretless and Friends’ playing at a variety of venues including The Swindon Jazz Festival and the Cricklade Festival. He also joined Ray and two other saxophonists to form ‘The Fluegal Four’, a venture into the more classical genre of music.
Derek played at venues all over the West Country including The Old Duke in Bristol and alongside musicians such as Kenny Baker, Roy Williams, John Barnes, Digby Fairweather and Jamie Cullum.
He also played the piano and could pick up any tune which was great for pub sing a longs and Christmas get togethers. If any pub or club was mentioned he always said “I’ve played there!”
A proud life member of the MU
Devizes locals will remember Derek as one of the band of buskers who played in the carnival and at local events, or in the pit orchestra for Devizes Operatic Society.
Throughout his career he was a member of the MU, becoming a life member, and in 2008 was proud to play in the MU band at the Tolpuddle Martyrs rally.
For over forty years Derek sounded the last post at the Remembrance Sunday service at Seend Church and to mark this, his memorial collection was for the Last Post Association.
In 2012 he made a CD for his family called ’I’m just a lucky so and so!’ which he said summed up his life and the recording of the title track was played during his funeral service.
Derek joined the MU in February 1968. This tribute has been provided by his daughters Helen and Sue.