In the spotlight: Rath Artist Adam Warburton

From humble beginnings, Rath Artist Adam Warburton has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Aged just 21, he is celebrating two years as the principal trombonist with the renowned Black Dyke Band while endorsing some of the world’s finest instruments – and he’s loving every moment.

Life is good for Rath Artist, Adam Warburton. The flourishing musical talent is garnering admiration from near and far for his inspired performances, many of which come when he is donning the famous colours of Black Dyke Band.

As with any elite level brass band, contesting forms an important part, and the final months of 2025 saw Black Dyke return to London’s Royal Albert Hall for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Second place was a case of so near, yet so far – but Adam reflected on the performance with great enthusiasm.

“The Nationals performance, on Edward Gregson’s Symphony in Two Movements, was one of the highlights of my time with Black Dyke,” he commented.

“The result didn’t go our way on this occasion, but it was a very special performance and we were proud of how we played. That will live long in the memory.”

From the contest stage to the concert platform, Adam has enjoyed a multitude of performances to cherish since becoming Black Dyke’s principal trombonist in January 2024. From sold out concerts on shores foreign and domestic to the cut and thrust of elite level brass band contesting, it’s a busy schedule but one he thoroughly enjoys.

“Being the principal trombonist of Black Dyke is a privilege – it makes me very proud,” he said.

“I know some wonderful players have had this seat before me, and I’ve been made to feel very welcome by the rest of the band, including my trombone colleagues, Garry and Adam Reed. Nicholas Childs has also been a great support, behind the scenes and on stage.”

For Adam, joining Black Dyke was not quite as daunting as it may have been, as he was already familiar with the Queensbury outfit, having previously served as co-principal alongside his former teacher and long-time mentor, fellow Rath Artist Brett Baker.

It was the latest achievement in a flourishing career for the young performer, who hails from Littleborough, in the northwest of England, and whose musical roots are firmly in the brass band tradition.

It was at the tender age of seven, while a pupil at Littleborough Primary School, Adam was given the opportunity to play a brass instrument, picking the “funny looking one” in the trombone. His teacher in those early days was former Black Dyke repiano player, Lee Rigg, who was also Adam’s conductor at the renowned Wardle Academy Youth Band. It was at the celebrated youth outfit where Adam really caught the musical bug, and he credits Lee Rigg for his “inspirational” direction and innovative musical programming.

Adam also went on to play for Wardle Anderson Brass, before receiving a call from Morgan Griffiths at The Hammonds Band. There followed a successful tenure with “amazing people and a great band” by which point, Adam was receiving tuition from fellow Rath Artist, Brett Baker.

Reflecting on that period, Adam said: “Brett was an amazing teacher. His knowledge of the trombone and its repertoire, combined with his drive and his sense of self-discipline, was an inspiration. He was always finding something new and fresh for me to get stuck into, and it was through Brett I moved on to Rath – and of course, became involved at Black Dyke.”

Adam’s instrument journey has followed a path that will be familiar to many, beginning with a battered old instrument before gradually advancing as his playing developed. After a little while, he was given a JP Rath trombone, which he looks back on with great fondness.

“I remember getting my JP Rath, going home and taking it straight into the front room, where I played it for about three hours. The neighbours must have loved me.”

As he became ever more serious about his playing, Adam and his parents travelled to the Rath factory in Honley, Yorkshire, where he was able to spend time trying various components until he found the combination that was right for him: a Rath Custom R4F.

That trombone stood him in excellent stead, and it was only when he popped back into the Rath factory that he opted for another option.

Adam continued: “I had reason to go back to the factory, probably because I had dinged a bell – I’m quite clumsy. It just so happened there was an R6 sitting in the showroom, so I was able to give that a try. There was no pressure from anyone in the factory, only encouragement and words of guidance as they helped me navigate the various options. They are very special people, and their knowledge of building a trombone is second to none.”

Much testing later, Adam came out with a Rath R6 Hagmann – the model he now uses with pride at Black Dyke and in his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he is in his final year, studying with Katy Jones (Hallé), and Rath Artists Carol Jarvis and Roger Cutts.

He has already enjoyed freelance experience with the Hallé, and performs with a wedding/function band, as well as undertaking some teaching.

“I’m busy with a wide variety of performances, including band and college, and my Rath gives me freedom to play the way I want to play. The modular nature of the instruments makes it so versatile.”

Adam added: “I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me on my journey so far, from the Rath team to my teachers, and my parents. They were both musicians, so understand what it can be like, and they have been so supportive from the very beginning.

“I’m in my final year at RNCM so we’ll see where the coming weeks and months take me – but I’m excited to see what is in store.”

Rath Artist Adam Warburton plays a Rath Custom R6 Hagmann.

Images: John Stirzaker