‘Of Good and Pure Souls’
Jimmie Charles’ recent 80th birthday, as well as his 64 years loyal service with Foden's, was celebrated and commemorated with a composition from the pen of Andy Scott. Commenting on social media, a spokesperson for the band explained how Jimmie came to be associated with the band: “Jimmie was born into a musical family in 1944, his mother was as an accomplished pianist, in the early 1920s she was a pianist for silent movies. His brother Cliff was a cornet player, his two sisters Pat and Joan were both singers. At the age of twelve Jim went as a part time student to study under Bram Gay at the Birmingham School of Music whilst working his way through the cornet ranks with his local Band, reaching principal cornet at the age of fourteen. These were busy times has he was also playing trumpet in the school of music orchestra, wind band and the NYBB.
“On one occasion Foden's Band came to Birmingham Town Hall, he then went (after his lesson) with Bram to the concert. The Band’s sound had a lasting impression on Jim, in 1960 he wrote to Rex Mortimer on Bram's recommendation for an audition. He had his audition at Foden's Bandroom in the Autumn and was offered the position of 5th man down, later that day he had his first rehearsal with the Band. In mid December he left home, boarded a train to Crewe, was then picked up by Rex and given a Besson cornet. It was Monday the 12th of December 1960 - Jim had found his Band.”
Speaking about the composition Andy stated, “Jimmie has been a part of the Foden's family for sixty-four years, as player (cornet, horn and baritone) and librarian. In my time as Composer-in-Residence with Foden's Jimmie became a good friend and I offered to write a piece of music that was dedicated to him. Jimmie always quietly sings a tune, he draws you in to listening, he just loves music. My musical approach when writing this piece was to try and capture the softly and lyrically sung element of Jimmie. At the same time Jimmie is so loyal to Foden’s, displaying the selflessness that makes him much loved in the brass band world. At his home we would make our way to the end of his garden to sit in the sun with a beer whilst he would go into the shed and put an old vinyl brass band recording on his record player and tell stories.”
Jimmie’s close friend, the incomparable Mark Wilkinson, filmed a demonstration video of the work, ‘Of Good and Pure Souls’ with pianist Wendy Nugent recently and then gave the World premiere of the brass band version with Foden’s, conducted by Michael Fowles at Sandbach Town Hall on 19th May in the presence of Jimmie.
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