COLIN LELEAN
Solo Cornet

 

 

Born in Terang, one of 6 children to a school teacher and nurse. Raised in Maryborough, Colin commenced banding at age 11 with Mr. Bartlett as a first instructor, then Jack Harris of the Maryborough band and the 1st schoolboys band that had a Tasmanian win playing ‘lily the pink’. A long list of contests followed as they do. After 4 years in Melbourne pre 1980, Colin established in Eaglehawk. Over 40 years he has played with some 16 bands in Victoria in a social capacity, helping out at playouts and civic functions. Colin’s biggest dismay is the lack of tutored playing technique in this region, so he sought a better environment, finding an amazing band in Dandenong. This band cracked his shell and made music what it should be.

 

 

Colin has a passion for brass acoustic experimentation, and believing everything is wrong until all that is wrong is made inconsequential, it then becomes rather good. Colin enjoys intelligently played music, probably because it is ever challenging. Colin has one student learning brass, and shares his knowledge elsewhere he can.

 

 

Colin owns a trumpet, 2 cornets, flugel horn, tenor horn and bugle, presently playing lead cornet with the evergreens band doing retirement home / RSL gigs. Colin just won a new Melbourne jazz band cd courtesy of the local radio station. Nearing 60, he wonders where this will lead, a great journey from hymn to swing and pretty much everything in between.

 

 

Colin has at one time or another played tenor horn 4th, 3rd, 2nd, repiano, 1st, and solo cornet, soloist, bugler and held the positions of President, Secretary, Band Sergeant and disciplinarian. Worked 22 years as an instrumentation and calibration officer, weapons instructor and now employed as a casual maintenance man at the sports stadium. And if you were wondering, "Yep a warm dunny has a higher pitch" says Colin.