The early years
Destined to become known as "The Man With The Golden Trumpet", Albert Edward Calvert was born in Preston on Wednesday the 15th March 1922 to master bootmaker Joseph and his wife Ellen. One of three children, his early musical influence came from his father who was a cornet player and passionate brass bandsman. He was also the Sheriff of Lancasters trumpeter which meant playing at civic events and even executions.
At the age of eight Eddie was given his first cornet lesson and according to his father, he never had to ask him to practise because he was always there, every hour he could spare. He would also carry his mouthpiece to school and was often caned for being late through practising too long at lunchtimes. With study and encouragement he soon found himself sitting next to his older brother Joseph on the back row of the Preston Town Silver band.
By the age of eleven he was promoted to the principle's chair, and became the bands soloist. However some of the older players took a some what dim view of the sudden rise of their new prodigy and with some reluctance a move was made.
One of the best military bands in the area was the 4th Battalion North Lancashire Regiment, and with some persuasion from Eddies father, Bandmaster Mr Green agreed to hear the youngster play. He was duly impressed and obtained special permission from the war office so Eddie could join the band. A uniform was cut down to size and he joined them on 2nd cornet. Just two weeks later on February 24th 1935 he was featured as a soloist in a concert at the local New Victoria Cinema.
The audience loved him and Eddie experienced his first taste of public acclaim. In late 2009 details of a recording made by Eddie when he was just thirteen have come to light thanks to Mr. George Wilkins. Recorded on December 16th 1935 this is probably the earliest recording of Albert Edward calvert as he was then known. It is hoped that a transcription of the record will be made some time in the future.
At the age of fourteen Eddie took part in a scholarship competition, and though gaining top marks for his playing, his theory knowledge let him down. Through local connections his father contacted Mr White, conductor of the famous Besses o' the Barn Brass Band to see if he could help. On hearing Eddie play, he agreed to become his music teacher. Eddie continued to take part in solo competitions and was judged in November 1937 by the great Harry Mortimer, who remarked that he liked the young mans bright cornet tone, but thought his playing was rather to legato.
On leaving school Eddie became an apprentice electrician, but his heart was set on music making. By the age of sixteen he had persuaded his father to buy him a fifty shilling trumpet, a lot of money for a working man, but Joseph was his biggest fan. He had such faith in his son's future that from early on he kept a closely guarded diary, in which he recorded every stage in his son's musical development. One of those developments was Eddie's interest in Dance Band music, and it was not long before he was playing with the local Les Marsden Band. However storm clouds were gathering and within a few months Britain was at war.
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