Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divided a busy career between composing, teaching, and performing.
A prolific composer and arranger, Tony’s original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright’s Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem, and many works for string orchestra.
Tony’s music for young bassists is very much at the heart of the teaching repertoire, particularly his jazzy and enjoyable bass trios and quartets, and he had the rare ability to create wonderful music which is always player and audience-friendly.
In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass and was a featured composer at Bass-Fest for over ten years.
He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3, was a judge for the British Composer Awards and a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition from 1999 until 2015.
Tony Osborne died on 30 March 2019 at the age of 71.
Tony Osborne's Bass Clef Trios Book 2 was written in 1981 for the composer's own pupils, these four short pieces are in a fun, melodic…
Tony Osborne’s Bass Clef Trios Book 2 was written in 1981 for the composer’s own pupils, these four short pieces are in a fun, melodic and accessible style. Popular at music courses and concerts, they are a useful introduction to double bass chamber music and are very easy on the ear.
There are few technical challenges but much scope for great music making. Playable with one bass to a part or larger forces, these bass clef trios are typical of the effective and idiomatic music written by Tony Osborne, one of the most successful composers writing for the double bass of his day.
Passe-Pied is elegant and stylish, contrasting a more rhythmic and effervescent Burlesque. Blues-Style makes effective use of pizzicato with syncopation featuring in Ragtime, and all are effective in performance. Ideal for both educational and concert repertoire, the music is fresh, appealing and accessible to players of all ages.
