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

songs produced by De Red Boyz, Dwaingerous and Nicholas Brancker.