The band was sad to learn of the passing of our former drummer Pete Weston last month.
Pete joined the band in 2007, after being persuaded by his neighbour, our Euph player Reg.
A Big Band drummer in his own right, he bought his knowledge of the genre, allowing the band to play Big Band music more authentically.
Joining the band also allowed him the chance to play different genres, as well as learning to read music.
He was part of the band in 2011 when we not only qualified for the National Finals but came 2nd place.
He retired from the band in around 2016, although he joined us for our 40th Anniversary concert in 2017.
Since then, he became a staunch supporter of the band, often attending band events in the audience, sporting his trademark Hawaiian shirts!
The band performed at his 90th birthday celebrations in 2023, all wearing our own Hawaiian shirts! Where he got behind the drumkit once again for a rendition of Sing, Sing, Sing. It went down really well!
He even joined us for a final performance, a couple of weeks before his passing, being persuaded to join us on stage for our Run Rabbit/Dad’s Army medley.
Always a true gentleman, willing to help and always with a story. He will be greatly missed by all at New Forest Brass and in the wider music community.
