Clarence Adoo, the inspirational musician, has been honoured for his services to music with an MBE from Prince Charles. Trumpet player Clarence was recognised at an event at Buckingham Palace.
Clarence was a member of the North East’s professional orchestra, the Northern Sinfonia, until he was paralysed in a car accident in 1995.
Sadly the event brought an end to his trumpet-playing days but the devout Christian said: “I’ve got a choice, really.
“One is to give up and feel sorry for myself. Or the other attitude was to be positive and dust myself down and have a good crack at life and see what was possible.”
51 year old Clarence lives in a specially adapted house in Jesmond. Newcastle. He has decided to do all he can to be positive about life and he has regained a small bit of movement over the years
His contribution to the music scene in the North East is undiminished and works at Northern Sinfonia at The Sage Gateshead as an orchestra animateur.
Clarence said: “When I heard I had got the MBE I thought it was a hoax but it is truly amazing. It’s still sinking in really.”
His sister flew in from Ghana for the occasion: “She has never been to England before,” said Clarence.
His sister was born in Africa but was left with relatives when his father came to England to study engineering. Clarence was born here and stayed to go to school when his parents returned home to Africa.
Clarence was looking forward to celebrating his achievement with his other siblings;
Harry who lives in Essex and Patience who lives in Croydon.