RATH is taking centre stage this Hootenanny thanks to the trombone trio from the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra who have just joined the Rath Family.

The three stopped off in our Honley factory recently while on their nationwide tour and fulfilled their collective lifetime ambition to own a Rath Trombone each.

Lead by Yorkshire lad, Winston Rollins, who dreamt of owning a Rath since he first met Mick at the start of our journey 20 years ago, he finally achieved his ambition and persuaded his two fellow trombonists to sign up too!

Attracted by the thought of having a trombone that was made to their very individual needs the three ordered them with just one condition – that they were ready in time for the traditional New Year’s celebration ‘Hootenanny’ that the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra stars in on BBC TV. Most factories wouldn’t have a problem with that, but making each trombone to order and usually quoting a 16 week lead time we knew we had our work cut out.

The team here in Honley swung into action and after taking the instrument specs from the three, Winston and his co trombonists, Fayyaz Virji and Roger Goslyn, they made sure revellers were listening to nothing but the very best sounds.

“I have known Mick for years since he was repairing trombones,” explained Winston. “Rath Trombones are quite simply the best. Each one is unique and now that he can make every single part to the musicians needs they are extra special,” he enthused.

Winston also confided that he had nearly bought a Rath before but had it snatched from his grasp by his best friend who snapped it up immediately.

“We were at the factory and watched Mick actually make a trombone, then played it, heard the tone, that was enough, he bought it!”

This time Winston was taking no chances and brought his band mates along to order their own before he could be denied a second time.

“I have played Raths before with bands like Jamiroquai, James Brown, Aswad, Joss Stone and Incognito, but never actually owned one so to have my own now is just amazing
and in time for the Hootenanny.

“I have seen other musicians I admire play Raths on my travels around the world and was in awe so to have my own is just fantastic.”

But fans didn’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve to hear Winston and his band mates play their Raths. He was live on the BBC One Show within days of the trio collecting their trombones and then the following evening it was centre stage on the Simon Mayo Radio 2 programme.

“We’re almost always on tour and have dates in December before Christmas so I will get plenty of use before Hootenanny,” he added.