Annie Whitehead

Annie Whitehead (born 16 July 1955 in Oldham, Lancashire) is an English jazz trombone player. She is an artist/clinician for Michael Rath Trombones. Her personal instrument is a nickel silver Rath R2.

Career

Annie learned trombone at school; at 14 she was already busy playing with brass bands, local dance groups and the Manchester Youth Jazz Orchestra and began her professional career at sixteen. Among her initial influences were Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Wayne Henderson. She is also eclectic and willing to try other genres besides jazz.

In the 1970s she moved to London where she found herself in demand. In the following years she worked with Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, National Health, Carla Bley, Robert Wyatt, Joan Armatrading, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Chris Rea, Bill Wyman, Elvis Costello, Jah Wobble, ...And the Native Hipsters and others. In 1984 she formed her own band and released her first CD as its leader. She was a member of Working Week, has contributed to far more than 50 albums and has recorded five albums under her own name.