Kevin P Holdgate

Kevin P Holdgate

 

Kevin was born in September 1961 in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Although born in Wakefield the family soon moved to Doncaster where he grew up in the coal mining community of Woodlands. His father, Allen, worked at the local coal mine and more importantly played trombone with the local brass band, Brodsworth Colliery.

 

It was perhaps inevitable therefore that when Brodsworth decided to establish a junior band in 1967 one of the first names on the list of players was Kevin’s. Keeping up the family tradition, the trombone was the instrument of choice. 

 

Within 3 years he was Solo Trombone with the senior band with his father on 2nd. Over the next 2 years he helped Brodsworth gain promotion to the Championship Section and gained invaluable early experience of performing. During this period he also competed in dozens of solo competitions and had considerable success. He was also introduced to the world of jazz and played lead trombone with the South Yorkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra alongside Pete Beechill (now a top London session musician) and later a very young Dennis Rollins (freelance jazz trombonist).

 

His success in the competition field had not gone unnoticed and in 1973 he was approached by the famous Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band one of the top 1 brass bands in the world. At the age of 12 he became their Principal Trombone making his debut at the British Open in Belle Vue Manchester.

 

In 1972 James Shepherd stunned the brass band movement by leaving his position as principal cornet of the world famous Black Dyke Mills Band to form his own James Shepherd  Versatile Brass. In 1982 Kevin was asked to join the group following the resignation of his great friend Derek Southcott who had left to join the Syd Lawrence Jazz Orchestra. 

 

In 1983 he was asked to join Grimethorpe Colliery, to succeed Stan Priestley who had emigrated to Australia. Once again he made my debut at the British Open and helped the band to get 2nd place. Over the next 20 years he was privileged to tour the world with Grimethorpe and Versatile Brass, appearing as a soloist in some of the finest concert halls, in cities across the globe. 

 

When Kings of Brass was formed in 1993 one of the first names on the list was Kevin’s on Principal Trombone. His inclusion broke one of the key rules which was to be over 40 years of age, but this was conveniently ignored by the management. He was even included as a soloist on the bands final album playing Bill Geldard’s fine arrangement of Autumn Leaves.

 

In 2010 Kevin was approached by the Newhall Band based in Swadlincote, Derbyshire to become their Musical director. At the time the band was placed 21st out of 22 bands in the 4th section of the Midlands Area.

 

In the ensuing 6 years, the band progressed and was promoted to the 2nd section for 2017. Following retirements, relocations and players progressing to higher levels within the brass band movement the band moved down the sections again but became National Champions of Great Britain in 2022 in the 4th Section.

 

Kevin is a published composer, arranger and orchestrator for Brass band, Wind Band, Orchestra and brass ensemble. 

 

Many of his arrangements have been featured by the James Shepherd Versatile Brass and recorded on their last two CD’s. In 2020 he produced over 80 arrangements for the JSVB Legacy group that was put together over the pandemic. Many of these arrangements are also available for full brass band.

 

His Jazz combo arrangements, and bierkeller arrangements are regularly featured with his own bands and many others in the Midlands.