JAMES Newby, one of Bradford and the north of England’s most accomplished and popular musicians, died suddenly at his home last month at the age of 80.

A “Celebration of his Life” was held at Bradford Cathedral on April 4 at 1pm, with crowds coming together to remember the artistic pioneer.

He is known around the world for the reduced orchestrations which he arranged for the global Gilbert and Sullivan community.

They have been used by companies as far afield as America, South Africa and Australia.

He was the founding MD of the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival and the professional Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, who he conducted in this country and in the United States.

In America, his cast included many of the famous original D’Oyly Carte Opera Company members, including Valerie Masterson, Gillian Knight, Kenneth Sandford and Peggy Anne Jones.

Meanwhile, when the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival began in 1994 in Buxton, Jim and fellow founder Ian Smith believed that it would most likely be a "one-year wonder".

Instead, having relocated to Harrogate's Royal Hall in 2014, the main festival celebrates its 26th consecutive edition this August.

Jim's legacy does not end there. He was also musical director of the Bradford Gilbert and Sullivan Society and founding MD of the Savoyards Appreciation Society (West Yorkshire), one of the area’s most unique amateur groups.

The Society was the first British amateur society to tour the USA, with James in charge of the National Festival Orchestra.

The Savoyards were also highly successful in the competitive Waterford (Ireland) International Festival of Light Opera.

James showed his total versatility there, winning Best Musical Director awards and Best Director award for his production of “Patience”.

His early years had revealed a performing streak, both as a vocalist and accomplished pianist and percussionist.

He studied conducting and composition with Brian Priestman and he worked with choirs, orchestras and dramatic and operatic companies, ranging from jazz to opera, across Yorkshire and Lancashire.

An accompanist, teacher, consultant, composer, conductor and director, he wrote an opera and arranged many commissioned orchestrations, supplying these to the music world.

His strong local conducting connections include Harrogate, Halifax, Aireborough, Meltham, Dore, Scunthorpe G&S Societies and he was President of Wakefield G&S.

He is survived by his wife Madeleine.

The "Celebration of his Life" event at Bradford Cathedral proved to be very popular.

Several hundred people from Gilbert and Sullivan Societies around the North of England and beyond attended the service in honour of Jim.