Jomo Slusher is establishing a name as a top trombonist, in the region and beyond. He was born in Belize, grew up in Barbados, and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. From his experiences both on stage and in the studio, Jomo has begun to develop a sound heavily influenced by the likes of Herbie Hancock, Nicholas Brancker and Arturo Tappin, and with his focus on composition and production ...
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Jomo Slusher is establishing a name as a top trombonist, in the region and beyond. He was born in Belize, grew up in Barbados, and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. From his experiences both on stage and in the studio, Jomo has begun to develop a sound heavily influenced by the likes of Herbie Hancock, Nicholas Brancker and Arturo Tappin, and with his focus on composition and production he seeks to add to the already broadening contemporary sounds of the Caribbean.

At age 8, his family moved to Maryland, USA, where he picked up the trombone in his elementary school music program. Though the seed was planted, it wasn’t until Jomo turned 14 that he began to take music seriously. Jomo traveled with the Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra to Cuba where they participated in a month-long workshop at the Escuela Nacional de Música, which inspired Jomo immensely. It was an eye-opening experience; observing people whose lives were devoted and authentically connected to music and the arts. This experience awakened his passion for performance and composition in him and also a sense of social awareness and identity.

"Music to me means so many things but mostly, it is both a sanctuary and a weapon. As a musician, I feel an incredible sense of responsibility to honour that," shares the quietly driven musician.

After obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Music from Barbados Community College in 2009, Jomo was awarded a scholarship to attend the Five-Week Summer Performance Program with the Berklee College of Music. While at the acclaimed college known for its standard of music excellence, he was awarded another scholarship, to participate in Berklee’s undergraduate program. During his time there he had the opportunity to study and perform with many outstanding musicians and also collaborate with his colleagues from all over the world. He gained significant experience as a session musician and performer and he was exposed to many great musicians and leaders in the music industry, which eventually led to him traveling to Italy to perform with Alissia & the Funketeers at the Umbria Jazz Festival in 2015.

Jomo is a founding member of GP Horns who have been a dedicated part of the Nicholas Brancker Band since 2015, he is also a member of the Arturo Tappin Band. Over the years he has garnered much experience from playing in calypso tents to performing in clubs, concert halls, and music festivals in the Caribbean and USA. As a session musician, he is credited both as an arranger and performer on various albums ranging from jazz to pop and soca music, with award winning songs and arrangements produced by De Red Boyz, Dwaingerous and Nicholas Brancker.

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