The trombone’s ability to raucously glissando has naturally drawn composers to focus on the instrument’s comic potential – its undeniable clownishness. Embracing this established stereotype and exploring the complex emotions embodied within the clown identity – the ‘tragic clown’, smiling on the outside whilst crying within – this concept album brings together works by established masters, new commissions and arrangements which all celebrate the instruments vast range of colours, nuance and beauty, whilst letting its buffoonish stereotype shine through. So sit back, relax and let the circus begin.