Rath Trombones has announced the addition of Neil Wharton to its prestigious Artist roster.

Neil 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.

Reflecting on his new association with Rath Trombones, Neil Wharton commented: “I’m very excited by this new partnership with Rath Trombones. I tried my very first Rath about 20yrs ago and have wanted one ever since, so it has been a long time coming.

“I need to be able to play in such a wide variety of styles and the Rath enables me to do this effortlessly. The sheer amount of options available is amazing and the slides are the best I’ve ever used.”

Born in County Durham, Neil started his musical life as a euphonium player in local brass bands, eventually performing at major contests such as the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and the British Open at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

Outside of his career in the RAF, he continues to perform with brass bands and has played with the likes of Grimethorpe and Desford Colliery band. Until recently, Neil was principal trombone with the Friary Brass Band.

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

Neil Wharton plays a Rath R4F trombone, with a red brass bell and a yellow brass slide.