Who?

Slide Action is a multi-award winning quartet, formed in 2018 by a group of friends with the aspiration of developing the trombone quartet into something different.

Passionate about creating a new voice for the trombone they regularly commission new music from composers, collaborate with other musicians and create their own pieces and arrangements. Since their foundation they have commissioned twelve composers to write significant works for four trombones.

2024 saw the release of their debut album RE:BUILD to critical acclaim. The CD entered the UK specialist classical charts at No.5 and won BBC Music Magazine’s Recording of the Month for December 2024; “This exhilarating blast is the future of brass”. It was also 4BarsRest’s ‘Solo/Ensemble CD of the year’. Graham Rickson (The Arts Desk) said “it’s rare to find a contemporary music anthology where every new work so surely hits the mark, and this is an album you’ll want to return to often”.

The quartet were nominated for two awards in the 2025 BBC Music Magazine Awards: ‘Premiere’ and ‘Newcomer’. Previous awards include first prize in the International Trombone Association Quartet competition at the 2019 International Trombone Festival, and first prize in the Royal Over-Seas League Mixed Ensemble competition 2020. They were also awarded the Philip Jones Prize for Outstanding Brass Ensemble. Slide Action were Britten Pears Young Artists 2021/22.

Previous engagements include premiering their show - ‘Rebuilding the Trombone’ at the Aldeburgh Festival, and since performing it at the Barber Concerts Society, Wooler Arts, the British Trombone Festival, and an upcoming performance in the Chiswick Brass Festival. In 2023 they performed a 7 concert tour in Switzerland. In 2022 Slide Action performed the world premiere of Robin Haigh’s concerto for 4 trombones and orchestra ‘THE DREAMERS’ alongside the Britten Pears Contemporary Ensemble.

Aside from their own recent album release, Slide Action also featured on the solo album from James Fountain, Principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Merton College Choir’s latest album recording of a major new work by Gabriel Jackson, conducted by Benjamin Nicholas.

The members of Slide Action are all professional trombonists; working in orchestras, opera companies, theatre pits, and ensembles around the world

Slide Action is very proud and thankful to be supported by Denis Wick Products Ltd. They perform exclusively on Wick mouthpieces and mutes.

“Their artistry and virtuosity is dazzling. I am reminded of the best vocal close-harmony groups in the precision of their ensemble, the balance of their sound, and the charm and intelligence of their presentation.”

-Michael Chance CBE

Artistic Director - Grange Festival