Gordon Douglas "Don" Lusher was an English jazz and big band trombonist and composer who was born in 1923. He began playing the trombone at age six in a Salvation Army band. During World War II, he served as a gunner signaller in the Royal Artillery. Lusher began his professional music career in 1945, performing with the bands of Joe Daniels, Lou Preager, and Maurice Winnick. He spent nine years as the lead trombonist for the Ted Heath Big Band, touring the United States on five occasions. Following Heath's death, Lusher assumed leadership of the ensemble in 1976 and led them until their final concert in 2000. He also formed and directed his own ensemble, the Don Lusher Big Band. Throughout his career, Lusher collaborated with artists including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. His recordings include the album British Jazz Legends Together (2001). He served as a professor at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Marines School of Music. Lusher was awarded the status of Freeman of the City of London in 1993 and received an OBE for services to the music industry in 2002. He died in 2006.
