Tuesday November 3rd 2026
Photo by Brass Tracks
Written by Midlothian view reader, Helen Grant Cumming
There’s always a touch of poignancy when a much-loved and admired key member of any group is no longer able to take part.
This was the case at the most recent Music in Peebles concert at the Eastgate Theatre when Brass Tracks was without its co-founder John Sampson.
Well-known throughout the music community as a top trumpeter, recorder player, actor and composer, John had been unwell for some time and sadly died the week before the Eastgate concert.
The programme included some of John’s favourite music. Billed as 500 years of brass music it ranged across the centuries with a sonata from Die Bankelsangerlieder by the renowned 17 th century composer Anon, a suite from Bizet’s Carmen to a Scottish Fantasy of 36 songs by Brass Tracks’ French horn player Robert Newth, played only once before—“almost a world première”.
There was more Scottish influence with Three Scottish Dances from Borders-based composer Alan Fernie, another leading light of the brass world.
And arrangements of pop classics When I’m Sixty Four, Hello Dolly, and Erroll Garner’s Misty, forever associated with Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald, and featured in the Clint Eastwood 1971 psychological thriller Play Misty for Me.
And the encore in memory of John? Spread a Little Happiness.
The next Music in Peebles concert at the Eastgate is on Thursday 19 November at 7.30pm when the Resol Quartet play a USA Semiquincentennial program to mark the 250 th anniversary of American independence. Also in November, this time at St Peter’s Church in the Eastgate (21 November at 2.30pm) music for Celtic harps from Ceólmhór Cawl. Tickets from the Eastgate Box Office (01721 725777) or at the door.
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