Country: Jamaica
Vin Gordon (born 4 August 1949), also known by his nicknames Trommie, Don D. Junior, or Don Drummond Jr, is a Jamaican trombone player celebrated for his contributions to ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. Born and raised in Jones Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Gordon was one of eight children. He attended the Alpha Boys School, a notable institution for nurturing musical talent, where he learned to play both the trombone and string bass. Gordon began his professional career in 1964 with The Skatalites, quickly establishing himself as one of Jamaica's premier trombonists. He became the main trombonist at Studio One, recording for almost every major Jamaican producer of the era. During the rocksteady years, he collaborated with legendary artists such as B.B. Seaton, The Heptones, Bob Andy, and Keith Hudson, and he played as Bob Marley’s trombonist from 1965 to 1978, contributing to iconic albums including Kaya and Exodus. In 1973, Gordon released his solo album Musical Bones, produced by Lee Perry and initially pressed in only 300 copies in the UK. In the 1980s, he moved to England and influenced British reggae groups like Aswad with tracks such as "Warrior Charge" and "Dub Fire." Returning to Jamaica, he continued recording, and in 1997 he toured with Justin Hinds, later joining both The Wailers and The Skatalites from 2004 until 2008. Gordon is recognized as a key figure in shaping the brass sound in Jamaican music across multiple generations.
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