Born in County Durham, Neil started out as a Euphonium player in local brass bands, eventually performing at major contests such as the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall and the British Open at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

He joined the Royal Air Force as a musician in 2002 and has served with The Band of the Royal Air Force College, The Central Band of the Royal Air Force and The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment.

Career highlights include playing in Red Square in Moscow and leading a trombone quartet in a live concert performance for Sky Arts at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

Outside of the RAF he continues to perform with brass bands and has depped with the likes of Grimethorpe, Desford and until recently was principal trombone with the Friary Brass Band.

He is also 1^st trombone with Q The Music Show, a James Bond Tribute band and orchestra that tours the UK and abroad.

I love my Rath due to the flexibility it gives me to handle the wide variety of music styles I need to perform