Gerard Purcell and his Olds Super Trumpet

Olds Super trumpet #446439 was recently added to the Olds Register

Patricia Purcell recently shared this story about the family history with their Olds Super Trumpet.

My father in-law Gerard Purcell bought the trumpet in Birmingham in 1964. The label on the case says it was bought from ‘Musical Instrument Repairs and Sales, Halesowen. Tel 021 550 9707’. He played in and was the leader of the dance band.

  

Here is a photo of Gerard Purcell (GP) with his band:

You can see the Olds Super case on the floor next to him in the photo. 

There is a scanned copy of the programme that Gerry used at The Tally Ho Club on New Year’s Eve 31st December 1977 at the local Police party.

There’s a funny story attached to this gig.  Gerry, (as he was called) and his son (my husband, who is also called Gerard/Gerry/Gez) were helping the police force to decorate the venue for the gig a few days before.  Gerry senior blew up balloons and such, then had a few too many pints.  He was nabbed going down the road, just a few 100 feet away, by the police for drinking and driving!

Here is some of the music that Gerry had with his trumpet:

My husband’s favourite memory of his dad playing was Woodchoppers Ball.

When my father-in-law passed away, he left the trumpet to his son Gerard Andrew Purcell. I married Gerard in 2015 and began playing his trumpet in May 2024.

At my trumpet tutorial recently, after finding these books, I practised from the Harry James Trumpet Method and the Bunny Berigan’s daily exercises.

I now play this trumpet in 3 bands. Nene Valley Community Wind Band, Just Jazz and Shoe Town Big Band – all of them in and around Northampton UK.

THANKS to Patricia Purcell for sharing this story!