SBBA is delighted to announce a new relationship it has facilitated between XO Instruments (part of Korg UK’s family of brands) and the outstanding young Scottish bass trombonist, Josiah Walters. This exciting step welcomes Josiah as the first young clinician to assist with the development of the new XO range of trombones. To officially mark the start of the collaboration, Josiah was presented by Nigel Lawless, Sales Manager for Korg UK, with a pristine new bass trombone from the XO series.
Josiah is a student of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, a recent winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Musician of the Year, a composer and an arranger (performing his own brass band arrangement of Chris Brubank’s challenging ‘James Brown in the Twilight Zone’ from the renowned ‘Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra’ as part of his winning programe). Described by the BBC Radio 2 YBMY judges as “A player who encompasses everything good about the bass trombone”, and with such an impressive musical pedigree at just 20 years old, Josiah was an obvious choice as a rising young star who could positively contribute to the development of the trombone range.
Josiah was delighted with the decision and commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen by XO Instruments as its first young clinician. It is an honour to be involved in the development of a new range of professional level brass instruments for one of the country’s foremost musical instrument companies. I’m really looking forward to playing my new trombone and offering assistance in the creation of this new range.”
Nigel Lawless, sales Manager for Korg UK said “To have a player and musician of the quality that Josiah brings to the brand is a real coup for XO Instruments. He is not only a player of the highest quality but brings youth and enthusiasm to the role, just what is needed for a young dynamic brand.”
Commercial Development Manager for SBBA, John Hamilton said “It has been a real joy to bring this partnership to fruition. Josiah is not only a super young talent on trombone but already an accomplished composer and arranger and we also have the privilege of hearing him play when he performs in the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. This alliance has benefits for everyone concerned, XO gets a first class young talent, SBBA continues to create new links in its world-leading youth development programme and Josiah becomes involved in technical development with a global brand. It really is the best of all possible outcomes.”
