11 Facts About Don Lusher

Don Lusher OBE was an English jazz and big band trombonist best known for his association with the Ted Heath Big Band.

Don Lusher spent nine years as lead trombone with Ted Heath's Orchestra and toured the United States with him on five occasions.

Don Lusher led the 'Ted Heath Tribute Orchestra' throughout the 1980s and 1990s until its sold-out final concert at the Royal Festival Hall in December 2000.

Don Lusher led the trombone section during many of Frank Sinatra's European tours.

Don Lusher premiered works by Gareth Woods and Gordon Carr's Concerto for Trombone.

Don Lusher performed with the Manhattan Sound Big Band, with Alexis Korner and various session musicians in the big band-rock fusion group CCS, and was a founder member of the Best of British Jazz group from the 1970s onwards.

Don Lusher spent some years as a Professor of the Royal College of Music before becoming Professor of Trombone at the Royal Marines School of Music, Portsmouth in 1997, a post he retired from in 2004.

In 1993 he was awarded the status of Freeman of the City of London, and in 2002 Lusher received an OBE for services to the music industry.

Don Lusher was first married to Eileen Orchard, a singer with Lou Preager's danceband.

Don Lusher married again his second wife, Diana, after Eileen's death.

Don Lusher is survived by his two sons from his first marriage and a stepson from his second.