The 1997 National Brass Band Championships Gala concert was a unique and historic event. The most successful brass band in the world, the Black Dyke Band, and the celebrated premier Salvation Army Band, the International Staff Band, performed together at the Royal Albert Hall.
A friendship was formed between the two trombone sections that led to the idea of recording this album. Eventually a date was set to record a double quartet album in the summer of 2017. Then in March of that year, Adrian Hurst and his wife Karen were involved in a horrific, near fatal motor bike accident. Both needed major surgery. Adrian suffered multiple fractures including a broken hip, two vertebrae, most of his ribs and neck. He semi-severed his spinal cord, suffered collapsed lungs and a bleed on the brain. Plans to record an album were postponed.
As Adrian underwent intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy no one knew if he would ever be able to play trombone again. However, it wasn't long before he had his trombone delivered to his hospital bed and his long road to recovery started. Even though the doctors said normal service could never be resumed, Adrian was determined that the recording should go ahead with or without him.
In January 2018, the trombone sections assembled for a rehearsal, with Adam Reed taking Adrian’s place. We were delighted that Stephen Bulla expressed a wish to be involved in the recording, sponsorship was secured and Stephen flew over from the US bringing with him a new composition ‘Cross Flourishes’.
Then to our amazement and delight, Adrian arrived and took an active part in the rehearsal. The following weekend, he also managed half of the recording. His stamina may not have been 100% but his commitment to being part of the team could not be faltered. In his typical modest style Adrian said, “It was great to play with my Dyke and ISB friends. After having such an unfortunate enforced break I wasn’t too sure if I would be able to do this. I’m convinced the physical effort involved in practising my trombone has played a major part in my overall recovery – especially my lungs”.
Adrian’s accident was featured on the television programme ‘Helicopter ER’ which graphically showed just how close he came to losing his life and how without the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Adrian would not be with us today. His determination to be able to play his trombone again is an inspiration to us all. Without hesitation, both trombone sections expressed their wish to dedicate this album to Adrian and Karen for the encouragement and positive example they have given and continue to display.
Stuart Hall