Top UK trumpet, flugel and cornet payer Adam Linsley, whose CV includes working with Joss Stone, Bjork, Deep Purple, Elaine Paige as well as some of the biggest shows in the West End, has added his name to the list of Odyssey brass users.
Currently on tour with Billy Elliot – The Musical, he explained: ”When I turned up for the first rehearsals, I was surprised to find there was a lot written in the part for cornet. I had been booked to play trumpet, flugelhorn and piccolo trumpet. Obviously I didn’t have one at that rehearsal and as it happened my Getzen Eterna cornet was away for repair. I called Peter Pollard, and asked about his range of instruments as I had seen that he had developed a cornet.”
“I have known Adam Linsley for over 20 years,” said Odyssey designer and Master Craftsman Peter Pollard, “in fact I sold him one of his first gigging trumpets! So I’m very proud to see him go on to become one of the best, sought after players in the UK, and I had no hesitation in sending him an Odyssey Symphonique Cornet to use on tour.”
The Odyssey Symphonique Cornet (OCR1000SG £799) features a silver-plated brass body with gold lacquered slide, nickel inner slide and gold lacquered buttons. With two water keys, monel valves and triggers on 1st and 3rd slides it comes complete with a plush-lined canvas covered wooden case and accessories such as gloves, cleaning cloth and oil.
“Pete arranged for a cornet to be sent to me and from the moment I took it out of the box I found it to be, well, just easy!” added Linsley. “Although I was a cornet player before turning to trumpet, I have not played much cornet over the 26 years of my professional playing career, and that was really my first requirement. I could very quickly get the classic warm brass band sound that I needed for the show and it felt familiar and safe.
“I had comments from many people involved with the show about the sound of the instrument (the show actually opens with a cornet solo). The tuning is great and the slots are very precise and easy to move between. It is capable of producing a warm and lyrical sound which is even through all registers. It looks like a traditional cornet and I like the contrast of the silver plate with the gold plated valve caps & triggers. I think this is a great instrument and suitable for the advanced student or professional. It has a price tag that sits it well under half the price of many of the comparable options on the market but in my opinion plays every bit as well as them.”
“I’m over the moon that Adam has chosen to use an Odyssey Symphonique Cornet,” ended Peter Pollard. “If you can, get tickets for this sell-out tour and don’t miss the great acting, singing, dancing and of course the fantastic cornet and trumpet playing…”
