Clarence Adoo, a highly accomplished trumpeter, was left paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident in 1995. However, thanks to a unique collaboration between composer and sonic inventor Rolf Gehlhaar and Clarence’s friend, renowned trombonist John Kenny, a new instrument was developed to enable Clarence to perform again. This groundbreaking instrument, known as the Headspace Instrument (later referred to as Head=Space), was commissioned by Carnyx Co. in 1999 with funding from the Diageo Foundation.
The Headspace Instrument is a sophisticated, computer-based virtual instrument controlled by Clarence’s head movements and breath. It consists of a headset equipped with sensors on either side that allow Clarence to move a mouse on a screen by shifting his head. A blow tube, acting like the left-click of a mouse, activates different notes and keys, enabling Clarence to play music by blowing into the tube with precision, despite not feeling any physical feedback due to his paralysis. This innovative instrument marked a significant milestone in Clarence’s rehabilitation, helping him reconnect with his musical career and experience the joy of performing once more.
In Clarence’s own words: “From starting to learn to play the equipment, it took ten minutes to be able to play Auld Lang Syne with only two mistakes.” The Headspace Instrument provided Clarence a platform to return to the stage, and in 2005, it was featured in its first public performance at the St Magnus Music Festival in Kirkwall, Orkney. John Kenny composed a piece for this performance, and the Headspace Ensemble made its debut, consisting of Kenny himself, trumpeter Torbjörn Hultmark, sound projectionist Chris Wheeler, and Clarence on the Headspace Instrument.
Clarence expressed the immense emotional impact of the performance, saying, “It makes me feel like a musician again.” The ensemble continued to grow, performing its first international concert in 2007 at the Fundação Casa da Música in Porto, Portugal.
The development of the Headspace Instrument evolved over time. Rolf and Vahakn Gehlhaar later introduced an improved version called Hi-Note, which provided Clarence with even greater flexibility and expressiveness. Hi-Note was showcased in compositions by John Kenny, such as “Salt” and “The Salt Road,” performed at the Setubal Festival in Portugal and the Cumnock Tryst Festival in Scotland in 2016. Through these innovative instruments, Clarence has continued to perform at a high professional level, reaffirming his place as a respected musician.