Simon Gresswell returns to Hammonds

The Hammonds Band are delighted to announce the return to the band of Simon Gresswell on Bb Bass.

Simon hails from Queensbury, West Yorkshire, and is unquestionably one of the most successful brass players of the modern era, having won every major honour there is to win. Simon has previously played for Black Dyke, Brighouse, Grimethorpe, Desford, and the Fairey Band, winning major honours with each band.

Simon has a long history with Hammonds and holds the notable distinction of being one of only two players to have played for Hammonds Sauceworks Band, Yorkshire Building Band and now Hammonds Band. Simon first joined Hammonds Sauceworks Band at just 16 years of age when Geoff Whitham was our Musical Director.

Simon is widely regarded as the finest exponent of Bb bass playing and reforms his formidable partnership with Darran West. Simon and Darran won a number of major honours together in the Yorkshire Building Society Band days including British Open wins, European titles and All England Masters victories.

Morgan Griffiths, Musical Director said “We are delighted to see Simon return to the band. Simon is an outstanding player and brings with him not just a wealth of experience but a winning mentality too. His arrival has already had a big positive impact on the band and is just the boost we need as the band returns from our enforced layoff due to the Covid crisis. We wish him every success back at Hammonds.”

Simon’s arrival sees Dave Long moving from Bb bass to Principal Eb bass following the sad news that David Smith has had to step down. A band spokesperson said “Hammonds would like to thank David Smith, who has been a fantastic principal player for us. David is taking time off to look after his beautiful new son Ewan and to concentrate on completing his Masters degree. We thank him for his commitment and wish him well. We look forward to David being able to return to playing in the future.”