IN MEMORIAM JOHN FLETCHER (1941-1987)

For those who knew John Fletcher and heard him play, this CD has been made as a tribute to his superb artistry. For those who hear him for the first time it will serve as an introduction to what is possible, both technically and musically, on an instrument whose traditional role has been more often that of accompanist than soloist. Known to his closest colleagues simply as "Fletch", he became a legend in his own time. With his premature death. aged 46. we lost a musician of refinement and a performer of truly virtuoso ability.

These qualities brought about a standard of tuba playing previously quite unknown in Britain which has since influenced the tuba fratemity worldwide.

His travels, as a member of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, led him to make friends all over the world.

Wherever he went there would be players, both student and professional, waiting to meet him and to listen and leam from his example. His zany brand of humour, allied to a wonderful ability to communicate with people, made his presence in any group an inestimable bonus.

His knowledge of music was both wide ranging and catholic in taste. Those of us who had the pleasure of working with him over the years grew to value his musical judgement, delivered with a zest for an amusing turn of phrase and with a total lack of pretension.

His playing was illumined by a desire to serve music first and foremost, and he always applied his formidable technique to this purpose. Each of us who knew him will treasure their own memories of a very special person who gave unstintingly of his friendship and his enthusiasm for music.

Philip Jones (London, March 1988