4BR has been informed of the death of Adrian Morris — the highly respected bass trombonist of the Halle Orchestra and Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music. He died, aged 50, on Monday evening.

Admired

Universally admired as a performer, musician and friend, he was the former bass trombonist of the Ulster Orchestra where he played for 11 years, before moving on to take on the role with immense distinction at the Halle Orchestra.

He remained at the Halle for the rest of his career — one which saw him perform under many of the world's finest conductors, as well as extend his musical influence to become a highly respected tutor at the RNCM in Manchester.

Honoured

In June 2015 he was honoured to be awarded a RNCM Fellowship for his 'distinguished service to music' — one which had encompassed teaching, composing and adjudicating at many leading educational institutions and orchestras throughout the world.

Bandsman at heart

He also admitted to being a 'bandsman at heart' — right from his earliest days learning to play the G trombone with Bridgnorth Town Band in Shropshire.

It was therefore he admitted, 'a huge honour' when he was asked this year to adjudicate alongside Derek Broadbent and Stephen Roberts at the British Open Championship at Symphony Hall.

Benny

His great friend and fellow Halle Orchestra brass player Ewan Easton MBE told 4BR: "Benny — as he was known to his friends and colleagues in the musical world — was an inspiring player in all genres, having been one of Howard Snell's boys in the 1980's.

He produced such a wonderful sound — right from his earliest professional days at the Ulster Orchestra, where he met his wife Carole and made friendships that lasted all his life.

For the last eighteen years Benny was a huge character in the Hallé and bands around the North West and Ulster.

Whilst being very humble of his influence, and despite his latter battle against cancer, he was an inspiring leader at the RNCM, receiving his fellowship — and sharing it with great pride with his family."

There is a huge Benny shaped hole in the world today for all the many people who knew him and were inspired by his playing and teaching prowessEwan Easton, MBE

Huge hole

He added: "There is a huge Benny shaped hole in the world today for all the many people who knew him and were inspired by his playing and teaching prowess.

I shall remember him for his humbleness and dignity as he fought cancer for the last five years, enduring procedures and operations with no fuss, missing only a handful of concerts with the Hallé and keeping us all amused with his acerbic wit."

Saddened

A spokesperson for the British Open Championship added: "We are immensely saddened to hear of the death of Adrian, and our thoughts go out to his family at this time.

We were thrilled when Adrian accepted our invitation to adjudicate at the British Open as he was a brass musician of international standing and someone we had wanted to work with for many years. His passing is a great loss to the musical world."

Funeral details

4BR will report on the funeral details as soon as we are given them.