John Barber is widely regarded as one of the most versatile trombonists in Britain today. He is Principal Trombone of the Foden’s Brass Band, a position he has held since joining from the Black Dyke Band in 1996. Having worked with the Halle, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Camerata , Raymond Gubbay Orchestra and the Welsh National Orchestra his non-orchestral experience includes performing with Elton John, Rod Stewart, Liza Minelli, The Gypsy Kings, Paul Anka, the Super Big Tramp Band and with Gloria Estefan on the X-factor.
John has been the trombone tutor to both the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and is presently Director of the Love Music Trust, the lead partner of the music education hub in Cheshire East. Additionally he is Director of Music at the Sandbach School where he leads the Big Band who have worked with Derek Watkins, Georgie Fame, Gordon Campbell, Simon Willescroft, Elliot Henshaw, Matthew Ford, Colin Skinner, Kevin Holbrough and Andy Scott.
John is proud to be an endorsee of Antoine Courtois Musical Instruments and is a member of the ‘Courtois Trombones’ along with Mark Templeton (Principal Trombone of the London Philharmonic Orchestra) Davur Magnusson (Principal of the Royal National Scottish Orchestra) and Richard Ashmore (Bass Trombone Ulster Orchestra).
In 2014 John released his first solo CD with Foden’s Band entitled ‘Barber’ performing on both trombone and piano. As an arranger, the album ‘Memories of Christmas’ (2016) is the first complete commercial recording that John has undertaken providing an opportunity to showcase the collaboration between Foden’s band and Matthew Ford.