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Jay Leasure
 It
all started in Scotland in 1958 while returning from France with my parents. We stopped in
Scotland for engine repairs on our Military Transport. My father bought my first set of
Bagpipes. They only squeaked and didn't play any drones at all but I loved them. But then
again I was only 5 years old. I didn't begin to really learn to play until 1980 when I joined
the El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band as a student piper. Soon after taking lessons I started
progressing through the ranks, becoming the Pipe Major of the band in 1987. Meanwhile I
started competing in piping. I remember after playing my first competition I met two guys. One
average looking guy from the Pikes Peak Highlanders and one stout piper from the Isle of Mull
pipe band. While they were giggling the Stout one inquired just what was I doing over there in
front of the Judge. Of course I responded I was in competition and just how good I was doing.
Turns out he was Pipe Major Brian Hughes. Brian retired from the Argyle and Southern
Highlanders and had won the Silver In world competition the other was Gordon Spears who most
of you know won the Gold several times and wrote great tunes such as Jimmy Findlater.
I started taking lessons from Brian, followed by technique adjustments from
Gordon Spears, which always led to a great debate between the two of them. In 1989 I joined
the Isle of Mull Pipe Band remaining with them until 1992. From there I joined a newly formed
band the Colorado Irish Pipes and Drums in pursuit of Irish music. I returned to the El Jebel
pipe band as the Pipe Major in 1994-1996. After taking the band to second place in the
national Shrine Piping competition I returned to my first love of Irish music.
As a proud member of the Michael Collins Pipe Band I feel it's an honor to
lead such a first class organization. |
