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Clarence Adoo – Professional Musician

Until a serious car accident in 1995, Clarence was sub-principal trumpet with the world-renowned orchestra, Northern Sinfonia.

His career as a musician, following his graduation from The Royal College of Music in London, spans two decades during which time he has worked in all forms of music - from pop and jazz, to classical. He worked for a time with Courtney Pine and the Jazz Warriors, and in several West End shows, and has also free-lanced for many orchestras including Scottish Opera, City of London Sinfonia, London Sinfonietta and Bournemouth Sinfonietta and Symphony Orchestra. He first learnt to play the cornet at the age of six with The Salvation Army, and during his career he has toured Britain and Europe as a Salvation Army soloist, including the performance of a specially written solo at The Royal Albert Hall.

Today, despite his accident which has left him paralysed from the shoulders down, Clarence has retained a role with the Northern Sinfonia as Education Animateur. He visits schools, colleges and adult groups in the north of England to lead music workshops or discussions on music and composers, and has been selected on several occasions for the panel of BBC Young Musician of the Year.

His charismatic personality has earned Clarence opportunities to take part in television and radio programmes where he is a strong advocate for disabled issues.

The Clarence Adoo Trust

As Clarence was not entitled to insurance payments following his car accident, a trust fund was set up to enable Clarence to purchase specialised equipment necessary for him to retain an active and independent life.

Thanks to the fund, Clarence is able to live in a specially adapted house in Newcastle, use a mouth-controlled computer for his work, and travel across the UK to attend committees, concerts and meetings.

Many people from around the country who have been touched by Clarence’s story have organised fundraising events and the Trust continues to encourage new initiatives.

Fundraising events have included concerts, coffee mornings, parachute jumps, auctions and balls! A CD featuring many of Britain’s top brass ensembles and funded by The Musicians Union has been released entitled ‘Clarence Adoo's World of Brass’. A major performance took place in the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the Black Dyke Band and the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army. In June 2002, a group of brass players from London embarked on the 'Three Peaks' in 24 hours - and played a fanfare at the top of each one!

Clarence chooses to see the positive side of his situation and firmly believes that his future can be fulfilling. He is an inspiration to many people and because of this many have been moved to give financial support to the Clarence Adoo Trust.

Picture of Clarence by kind permission of the Evening Chronicle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

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