Death of a versatile bass trombone, aged 50
mainWe are saddened to learn of the death, from cancer, of Adrian Morris, bass trombone of the Hallé Orchestra for the past 18 years.
Previously with the Ulster Orchestra, Adrian – known as Benny – also played with brass bands and jazz orchestras.
Our sympathies to his family and colleagues.
A loss to the brass fraternity and the wider musical world. Saddened by this news.
what instrument is being played in the photo? a variant style of bass trombone? thanks,
Cimbasso. A kind of valved bass trombone (some would say contra-bass trombone) used primarily in Verdi.
many thanks
In any case it is surprising to see a trombonist play this instrument, not that I have the least doubt in his ability to do so. In Germany the cimbasso is the domain of the tuba players, but perhaps mainly to achieve a better balance between their average workload and the one of the trombonists.
The tuba, bass trombone and the cimbasso all share/use the same size mouth piece. Here in the US both bass trombon and tuba players usually double on the cimbasso.
A true gentleman, with an incredible love for music and his friends. He will truly be missed.
I’ll sadly miss seeing Benny come on the stage with the Halle. I didn’t know him personally but you could tell he had a great personality through his fantastic bass sound filling the northern music halls.