Barrie Webb was born in England. He read music at Cambridge University, studied trombone with Denis Wick and Vinko Globokar and conducting with Constantin Bugeanu.

A leading figure in the development of new music for the trombone, his worldwide solo performances include numerous premières, concertos and recordings. Conductor and director of the ensemble, Firebird, he has directed recordings for the BBC and has conducted in the USA, Australia and Europe - more particularly in Romania where he appears frequently on television and radio.