Clarence meets Wynton Marsalis

Wednesday 7 February 2001

High note meeting

Disabled musician
meets top jazz
trumpeter friend

By David Whetstone
Arts & Entertainment Editor

AS 2000 excited schoolchildren filed into Newcastle City Hall yesterday, a touching reunion took place between two extraordinary men of music.

It was difficult amid the hubbub to hear what Wynton Marsalis described by many as the best jazz trumpeter in the world, said in his friend Clarence Adoo's ear. But you didn't need bat-like hearing to know he was moved.

Rising after their tête-à-tête, Wynton put a hand on Clarence's shoulder arid said simply: "This is the man."

Clarence joined the Newcastle-based Northern Sinfonia as a trumpeter in 1991 but in 1995 was paralysed in a dreadful car crash on the Al.

Now confined to a wheelchair he continues to work for the orchestra as education animateur, setting up education and community projects and giving music appreciation talks.

While recovering in hospital, Clarence recalled his teenage ambition to be the best trumpeter in the world. It lasted until he heard Wynton Marsalis and realised he would have to settle for second best.

Yesterday he cast his mind back to their first meeting. His trumpet teacher at the Royal College of Music had arranged for him to go to Abbey Road Studios to listen to a French trumpet player called Maurice Andre.

"After the day's session I went into the canteen with a friend. I said to him, 'That chap over there is the spitting image of Wynton Marsalis'. I had seen him on the television.

"On the way out, he nodded and asked me how I was doing. I said, and I know it sounds corny 'You really look like Wynton Marsalis'. It was his first visit to Britain. He asked me if I wanted to go to his recording session that evening. Whatever I had in my diary became totally irrelevant."

A friendship ensued. While Clarence moved to the North-East, the American established himself as a natural successor to the great Louis Armstrong.

It was nearly two years ago that the pair met for the first time since Clarence's accident.

"He seemed shocked," said Clarence. "Because I'd got through the early emotions. I had almost forgotten how to deal with people being shocked to see me.

"That time we talked more about my accident than about music."

Clarence, his religious faith strengthened since his accident, hasn't given up hope of playing the trumpet again. He recently returned from a second spell of pioneering treatment in Miami which has given him enhanced movement in his neck and left arm.

Doctors there are intrigued to see if Clarence, as a professional musician, has greater powers of recovery than other people. They wonder if his subconscious responses to music may stimulate his central nervous system.

As Wynton prepared for yesterday's concerts - the first to be promoted by the new Music Centre. Gateshead, due to open in 2003 - Clarence said: "I love the guy because be is such a warm character. It is nice when you put someone on a pedestal and find they are really down to earth.

"The most amazing thing about him is his incredible technique. One of the albums I've got was done by him when he was 18."

Clarence, who travels widely to concerts in a specially-adapted car, was in the audience last night to hear his friend and hero play as he once dreamed of playing - and still does.