Michael Rath Trombones

Michael Rath Trombones

Made in England Played Globally

Made in England Played Globally

Geoff Mason joins the Rath Team

“I approached Rath last year and asked Mick if it would be possible to make a modern version of my current trombone, a 1956 Conn 10H.  He researched the dimensions and material used and with the help of Tim we arrived at a set up which is perfect for me. The high copper content of the red brass bell gives a full warm sound, the nickel silver tuning slide enables a clean articulation and bite to the upper register and the nickel slide is super smooth.  I have played my R10 in small groups and big band situations and it fits in both really well; projection is easy and it blows evenly over the full range as well looking great ,many thanks to all the brilliant team at Rath ”

Geoff was born in North London and studied Trombone at London College of Music, before moving on to join the Regimental band of the Coldstream Guards. He played with the band for twelve years, during which time he toured Japan, Australia, Kuwait and America; he also played at high profile events such as Trooping the colour and the Queen Mother’s funeral. Since leaving the Guards, Geoff has built up a free-lancing career. He has gigged aboard the QE2 and other cruise ships and played with the touring Rat Pack show. TV and film work has included the soundtrack of the BBC drama “The Debt”, brit file “Grow your Own” and the 2009 Jamie Oliver summer advert. Geoff also runs his own jazz quintet with the Tenor Sax player Simon Spillett and Piano player John Horler, which has played most of the jazz festivals and clubs in the UK; their two CDs have featured on BBC Radio 2 and Jazz FM. He is a member of the RMG Collective, a modern/Latin group, with Jonathan Gee, Steve Rubie and Winston Clifford. He has played at Ronnie Scotts, the 606 Club, The Pizza Express Club Dean Street, Cork jazz festival, Ealing jazz festival, London jazz festival and has worked with many top jazz stars including visiting Americans Scott Hamilton, Greg Abarte and Daryl Sherman and UK musicians Steve Waterman, Henry Lowther, Derek Nash, Steve Fishwick and Dave O’Higgins. He has also played with many Big Bands including the Ronnie Scott Big Band, Len Philips Big Band, Paul Booth’s Bansangu band, The Squadronaires and toured with Martha and the Vandellas. Geoff is the Trombone tutor at University of Kent.

 

Mark Nightingale reviewed Geoff’s latest release;

 

GMQ Album Review This beautifully recorded CD features a quartet of obvious empathy and enthusiasm. Geoff’s rich tone, dexterity and unerring energy pervade throughout, and the tasty rhythm section get plenty of opportunity to let their abundant creative juices flow. The chosen program of interesting, not over-aired modern jazz themes is very refreshing, although Geoff has certainly not made life easy for himself! – the tricky heads encompassing a wide range on the instrument and the chord changes going through a dazzling array of key centres make for a real work-out. It is lovely to hear an artist pushing themselves technically and creatively, thus encapsulating the best attributes of a true musician and improviser.