Vin Gordon

Vin Gordon

Vin Gordon, also known as Trommie, Don D. Junior and Don Drummond Jr, is a Jamaican reggae trombonist born in 1949. He grows up in Jones Town, Kingston, as one of eight children, and learns trombone and string bass at Kingston’s Catholic Alpha School. One of his teachers is Lennie Hibbert, and he makes early contacts there with other pupils including Roland Alphonso.

Early career and Studio One

After graduating from Alpha in the mid-1960s, Gordon plays in the Salvation Army band in Montego Bay. Roland Alphonso then brings him to Studio One, where he backs The Wailers on the song “Jailhouse”. At Studio One he also meets Lee “Scratch” Perry and works with many reggae artists during the rock steady and reggae periods.

Recording work and collaborations

Gordon plays on records by Bibi Seaton, The Heptones, The Skatalites, Bob Andy, Aswad and Keith Hudson. He is associated with several reggae groups and session line-ups, including The Skatalites, The Upsetters, The Aggrovators, Zap Pow, Sound Dimension, Harry J. All Stars, Gibson's All Stars, Phil Pratt All Stars, Jahzz, Vin Gordon & the Real Rock Band, and Joe Gibbs & The Professionals.

Solo releases

He has a solo album, Musical Bones, produced by Lee Perry and first issued in the UK on DIP on blank labels in a limited run. Another solo album, Way Over Yonder, is produced by Joe Gibbs.