In the years following the
death of his wife Sheila, Derek embarked on what he called ‘a new
career’. For several years he provided BMG (Banjo, Mandolin and
Guitar) magazine with arrangements and original compositions which
they were more than happy to publish. This enabled him to stretch
another aspect of his prodigious musical talent.
The
relationship with BMG magazine (owned by the Clifford Essex Music
Company Ltd) continued for several years. Derek’s contributions
fell into three categories. First he provided arrangements for
plectrum banjo of popular songs from the 1920’s and 30’s (under
the pseudonym George Bennett). He also contributed a jazz ukulele
page (under the pseudonym Fred Keeley). Finally, he also had
published by the magazine several of his own compositions, under his
own name.
Sadly
Derek had to withdraw from this commitment eventually, due to various
accumulating health problems. These included severe visual impairment
which obviously made composing and arranging extremely difficult.
 |
Sheet
music published by Clifford Essex featuring two of Derek’s
compositions
|
The
present owner of the Clifford Essex Company, Clem Vickery, remembers
Derek well. He said:
He
was a lovely man, a great musician and a real character. He was a
very good composer and we publish several of his banjo compositions
to this day.
He
was a subscriber to our BMG magazine until a few years ago when he
told me he could not renew his subscription or compose because he
could no longer see. I felt for him. In recent years he purchased one
of our top of the range Weaver classical banjos which he loved.
(Clem
Vickery)
Honeysuckle Waltz was composed by Derek Hall
Our thanks to Ray Woods and Clem Vickery for making this recording available to us.