FROM GENIUS TO TRAGEDY: THE UNTOLD SAGA OF SKA’S ICONIC GENIUS DON DRUMMOND
Hearsay Media’s Trombone Man: Ska’s Fallen Genius plunges into the life of Don Drummond—the brilliant yet tortured trombonist behind The Skatalites. In a seven-part comic series, writer Adam Reeves and illustrator Constantino Pius capture Drummond’s genius and tragedy, charting his rise in Jamaica’s vibrant ska scene and his heartbreaking fall.
Drummond co-founded The Skatalites, propelling ska into the world’s music spotlight during the early ’60s. His bold, pioneering sound redefined Jamaican music, but mental illness later overshadowed his success.
Tragically, his journey included spells in Jamaica’s infamous Bellevue Mental Hospital, where psychiatric care was minimal.
DRUMMOND’S JOURNEY UNFOLDS THROUGH STUNNING ILLUSTRATIONS AND AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED STORYLINE
Using patois and English, Trombone Man merges Jamaican culture with magic realism, creating a moving, visual immersion. Constantino Pius’s artwork masterfully shifts between colour and monochrome, capturing Drummond’s raw emotions and the vibrant world he lived in.
The first issue, Barefoot Boy, introduces young Drummond as a restless child in 1940s Kingston. He soon finds himself at Alpha Boys School, where strict Sister Mary Ignatius channels his energy into music.
With Issue #2, Music Is My Occupation, hitting Kickstarter from 14 January to 15 February 2025, readers can look forward to an even deeper dive into Drummond’s world. “It’s a story that needs to be told, and a comic is the perfect way to reach a global audience,” says Reeves.
Drummond’s muse and lover, Margarita Mahfood—known as Jamaica’s ‘Queen of Rhumba’—also shines in this portrayal. Their passionate yet tragic love story underpins Drummond’s tale with both beauty and heartbreak.
ABOUT ADAM REEVES
Adam Reeves brings Don Drummond’s story to life through Trombone Man, a comic that reflects his 40-year love for Jamaican music.
With a journalism background, Reeves co-authored Alpha Boys’ School: Cradle of Jamaican Music with US ska historian Heather Augustyn, exploring the legendary school that nurtured Jamaican icons like Drummond and other Skatalites.
Seeking a fresh challenge, Reeves envisioned a comic book adaptation of Augustyn’s Drummond biography. Trombone Man is the first in a planned trilogy of Jamaican music comics. He lives near Brighton with his partner, Peta.
