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Yes, you guessed it – betrothed to our guitarist and music arranger David, Mandy had been part of Blue John for about 10 years and what a contribution she has made in that time!

Mandy is well known within brass band circles, starting her brass playing as a cornet player with Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) band at the tender age of 9. Such is her talent that she would be awarded prizes in local and national slow melody and solo competitions, eventually leading her to study cornet under the guidance of world renowned cornet maestro, Phillip McCann and graduate from Huddersfield University with a degree in Music and consequently a teaching PGCE.

Mandy was one of 4 women to break the barriers in the brass band movement of being introduced to the world famous Black Dyke Band at a time when previously the band only held male membership and can be proud to have been a member of equally top quality bands such as Fodens, Carlton Main Frickley Band and Grimethorpe Colliery. A much respected instrumentalist within the movement.

Currently, in addition to her playing with Blue John she is the flugelhorn player with Strata Brass under the musical direction of her husband David and is often heard depping for bands around the area on her beloved Eclipse cornet. She is deputy headteacher in a Nottinghamshire secondary school and enjoys family time with her twin children James and Hannah at home in Ripley.

Ed is a second-generation trombonist with decades of experience performing in orchestras, wind bands, big bands and function groups. His playing brings a rich tone, solid groove and a calm musical maturity shaped by years on stages of every kind.

Equally at home supporting the ensemble or stepping forward when the moment calls, Ed focuses on serving the music and giving the brass section depth and character. He’s known for his reliability, his musicality and an enthusiasm for all things trombone that borders on a full-time hobby.

When he’s not playing, he’s usually talking about playing — or finding his next chance to get the slide out again.

Based in Derby, UK, Ben Marples is a versatile drummer with a passion for making people move. He’s been playing since the age of 10, performing across a wide range of settings including wind bands, orchestras, theatre pit bands, jazz and big bands, as well as original bands both live and in recording studios.

Ben is usually found behind the kit in rock and pop cover bands, but also enjoys the soul and R&B grooves of Blue John. His career highlights include performing at the Royal Albert Hall, supporting Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards on tour, and being part of the first band to ever play live on BBC Radio Derby.

Currently, Ben keeps busy performing with Derby Concert Band, three rock/pop cover bands, and Blue John. He loves creating rhythms that get audiences up and dancing, bringing energy and groove to every performance.

Steve has been doing the tech for shows since he was in school… helping run the lights (while also being on stage).

Since he started teaching, back in 1997, he has helped run school shows – lights, sounds and projections.

His favourites include “We Will Rock You” – for which he created video backdrops that synced up with the music and set up a mini studio for the live-feeds, “Little Shop of Horrors” – which has amazing soul music and a singing plant (performed by a vocalist in a separate booth) – and Return to the Forbidden Planet – where we made the stage look like a 1960’s Sci-Fi spaceship set (including monitors showing animations – e.g. radar showing the monster approaching)

More recently, Steve was asked by his work mate Simon, to consider taking on the tech for the band – bringing everything “in house”.

We started simple, PA speakers, mics, and a mixing desk. Now we have a fully computerised (and iPad controlled) system for the sound and lighting rigs… that somehow fits into his car!

Steve has also taken on the roles of photographer and recording / editing videos for YouTube, designing posters / tickets and managing the band website.