TROMBONE MAN: SKA'S FALLEN GENIUS
THE TRAGIC TRUE STORY OF DON DRUMMOND, TOLD AS A STUNNINGLY DRAWN COMIC BOOK SERIES.
ISSUE #1, BAREFOOT BOY, IS NOW AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD.
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WHO IS BEHIND THIS PROJECT?
I'm Adam Reeves, from Brighton, UK, creator of Trombone Man, the culmination of over 40 years of loving ska and reggae music. Together with illustrator, Costantinos Pissourios, we have embarked on a journey into comics creation, which we'd love you to join us on.
I'm Costantinos Pissourios, illustrator of Trombone Man. I have spent many years creating artistic tributes to Jamaican ska, reggae, dub and dancehall artists. I also built the first reggae sound system in my home country of Cyprus.
SO, WHO WAS DON DRUMMOND AND WHY IS HE IMPORTANT?
- Recognised as a musical prodigy by nuns at Jamaica's famed Alpha Boys School.
- In early 1950s became the biggest jazz star in Jamaica, aged 20.
- Early career derailed, due to many spells in mental institutions.
- Formed 1960s ska giants, the Skatalites and composed many of their most beloved songs.
- Died in a mental asylum, aged just 35 years.
- Left a hugely influential legacy of classic ska.
- Influenced jazz, ska and reggae trombonists the world over.
A sample of Trombone Man, issue #1, Barefoot Boy:
(**It's written in Jamaican patois. If you're not familiar with the language, you'll soon get the hang of it!**).
Its 1941. Young Don has skipped school. A hummingbird beckons to him to follow, leading Don on an adventure that will change his life. The bird foreshadows the chorus of voices he will later hear in his head, voices he cannot switch off.
Don he heads to downtown Kingston and is caught up in a political scuffle.
Having escaped the riot Don, finds himself drawn to the sound of music coming from a backstreet. A band is playing traditional mento, Jamaica's own folk music.
One of the musicians teaches Don how to blow a tune on a leaf and he jams along with the band, impressing them with his musicality. The music switches a light on in Don's head - hence the burst of colour from monochrome.
Bottom panel translation:
Don: Excuse me sir, do you know where Rae Town is?
Musician: This is Denham Town, Rae Town is a long way from here, Son. Let me show you the way.
That gives you a little flavour of the story. Issue #1 contains 38 pages of of comics story, plus a foreword by Drummond biographer, Heather Augustyn.
YOU'LL ALSO RECEIVE A BONUS GIFT:
Eleven chapters - over 100 pages - from the book, Alpha Boys School: Cradle of Jamaican Music, which Adam co-wrote with Don Drummond biographer, Heather Augustyn.
A DEEP DIVE INTO JAMAICAN MUSIC HISTORY.
THE SCHOOL THAT STARTED A MUSICAL REVOLUTION!
Behind Jamaica's global musical revolution lies the unlikely story of a residential reform school run by Roman Catholic nuns, who's graduates went on to be the pioneers of Jamaican jazz, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall and dub.
THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF JAMAICAN MUSIC!
The free giveaway features a ten page chapter on the history of the Skatalites as well as individual biographies of ten of Alpha's most brilliant musicians, most of whom are sadly no longer with us. The book is the result of many years of research and a must for both die-hard aficionados and curious newcomers.
A very welcome reference book who's lightness of touch serves the weight of its subject. Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwize magazine.
You'll recieve chapters on the following legendary Jamaican horn players:
Cedric 'IM' Brooks, sax (Divine Light of Saba and Mystic Revelation of Rastafari).
Bobby Ellis, trumpet (Studio One, Bob Marley and Burning Spear).
Rico Rodriguez, trombone (Specials/ Jools Holland) & Eddie Thornton, trumpet (Beatles, Georgie Fame, Aswad)
Vin Gordon, (Studio One, Aswad, Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, the Skatalites).
Lester Sterling, sax/flute (Studio One, the Skatalites)
Tommy McCook, sax (Studio One, the Skatalites).
Don Drummond, trombone (Studio One, the Skatalites).
Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore, trumpet (Studio One, the Skatalites).
'Deadly' Headley Bennett, sax (Studio One, On-U Sound).
Here's Trombone Man writer Adam Reeves, with Heather Augustyn, co-author of Alpha Boys School: Cradle of Jamaican Music, together with reggae singer and ex-Alpha boy Johnny Osbourne, fresh from a discussion panel at the Reggae University event at Rototom Sunsplash Festival, Spain, 2018.
Thanks for your interest in our work, We hope you'll stay in touch as we bring you more issues in the story! Feel free to message me, Adam, I always reply to every email.
