Anthony Parsons took up the trombone at school in Leicester aged thirteen. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Sidney Langston between 1957 and 1959, then served three years in the Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards and studied privately with Denis Wick.

He joined Sadlers Wells Opera Orchestra for two years then moved to the Hallé Orchestra, Manchester, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. He was appointed co-principal trombone of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1970, a position he held until 1998. He was Trombone Professor at the London College of Music 1972-96 and has given masterclasses and adjudicated competitions around the world.

He was a founder member of the British Trombone Society in 1986 and edited The Trombonist magazine until 2006. He was elected second vice-president of the International Trombone Association from 1996 to 1998.

Now retired from symphony orchestra life, Tony lives in Suffolk and is deeply involved in local music-making. Always keen on jazz, he is relishing a second bite of the professional cherry seeing the world and enjoying playing as an entertainer on cruise ships.