BRASS band leader Norman Law has turned Japan on to the wonders of traditional Yorkshire music.

The Hepworth man worked with the Tokyo-based Band of the Black Colt in Japan for two weeks and then conducted its musicians in a two-hour performance in front of 300 people.

The 57-year-old, who usually leads the Meltham and Meltham Mills Band, said there were similarities across the cultures.

He said: “In Japan they like to work hard and have a glass of beer afterwards, just like the brass band guys in this country.

“It’s a social thing – and blowing an instrument for a few hours does make you thirsty!”

Norman first visited Japan in 1990 as principal trombonist in the touring Black Dyke Band from Queensbury near Bradford.

He said: “We toured for a fortnight, doing concerts all over the country in Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima.

“I met a young trombonist called Kenichi Nozawa and we’ve been friends ever since.

“He’s been to Yorkshire and, whichever band I’ve been conducting he’s come along to have a go with the band.”

In 2007 Kenichi introduced his friend to the Band of the Black Colt.

Norman said: “I did a rehearsal with them and they asked me to come back the next year. We did two concerts together in 2008 and we’ve done one every summer since.”

Norman and his wife Elaine, 57, spend two weeks in Japan every year working some holiday time in around rehearsals.

He said: “Unlike England, you could never practice during the week because people work until nine or 10 at night.

“They usually have rehearsals on Sunday evenings.

“When I was over we did two rehearsals on Saturday, two on Sunday and one each the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then we performed on the Sunday afternoon.”

Norman tries his best to get his points across despite the language barrier.

“I know the odd word of Japanese but most of the band speak some English,” he said.

Norman believes the band tries harder for its temporary conductor.

“They only see me for a couple of weeks each year so they are on the edge of their chairs,” he said.

“It’s like when a football team gets a new manager – the players try to impress him.”

This year’s performance included some well-known band tunes like the Oldham Rifle Brigade March and Hungarian Rhapsody.

Norman said: “I think this year’s concert was the best yet.

“Brass bands aren’t as popular in Japan as they are over here but the commitment of the band is second to none.”

Norman believes the Japanese musicians hold him in high esteem because of where he’s from.

“I get a lot of respect because I’m from Yorkshire which is the centre of the brass band world,” he said.

“There are one or two good bands in Lancashire and Wales but generally this is the heartland.”

Norman, who works for Cummins Turbo Technologies, has conducted Hepworth Band and Wakefield Met Band before starting with Meltham and Meltham Mills Band.

He has also played with a number of groups, including Brighouse and Rastrick Band.