John Barber is widely regarded as one of the most versatile young 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.

Originally from Hampshire, John was Principal Trombone with the Hants Youth Orchestra and studied on the Hampshire Specialist Music Course. In 1993 he was awarded on of only six places on the highly prestigious "joint course", run between the Royal Northern College of Music and the Manchester University. At the RNCM, he studied Trombone with Andrew Berryman, Principal Trombone with the Halle Orchestra and Christopher Houlding, Trombone player with Opera North. John made two European Tours with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra as Principal Trombone and was a featured soloist with the RNCM Brass Band on their highly successful Norwegian Tour. John was also lead Trombone with the RNCM Big Band and was twice a prize winner of the highly regarded Sema Group Jazz Improvisation Competition.

John has worked with most of the North West's leading orchestras including the Halle, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Camerata and Welsh National Orchestra, whilst non-orchestral groups including the Andy Prior Big Band, Apitos, and the Richard Iles Big Band.

In November 1996 John accepted the position of lead trombone with the Tony Evans Orchestra in Monte Carlo where he was resident for a year, supporting acts such as Elton John, Rod Stewart, Liza Minelli, The Gypsy Kings and Paul Anka. On his return to the UK, John undertook an MA at Salford University in Composition and Arranging under the direction of the highly acclaimed Composer, Peter Graham. His Composition and Arranging studies have since led to special arrangements for the Halle Brass Ensemble and the Nemo Brass Quintet.
John holds the Trombone Chair with the dazzling New Orleans/Salsa Group, Brasshoppers. Having completed their 3rd album, further work for John and the Brasshoppers will include appearances at the Cork Jazz Festival, Cognac Blues Festival, Paris Jazz Festival and the Slida Festival in Norway. The group also played their part in a unique piece of history when they played at the Millennium Dome on the Millennium New Years Eve.

John is also a founder member of DB5. The group including Andy Scott (Saxophone) and Dave Hassle (Drums) perform monthly in Winsford playing a mix of Latin, Funk, Original compositions and Jazz Standards. He is also a member of the Blue Juice Big Band (with whom he played piano at Steven Gerrard’s wedding…!!!) In 2006 John appeared with Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) and Martin Fry (ABC) with the 80's All Star band in Manheim, Germany.  John is currently trombone tutor to both the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain a position he is looking forward to fulfilling again this year.

John is presently Head of Music at the Sandbach School where one of his roles is to front the School Big Band. In 2004 they welcomed Derek Watkins as guest soloist, Georgie Fame in 2005, Gordon Campbell, lead trombonist with the BBC Big Band in 2006 and subsequently Simon Willescroft (Saxophone with Duran Duran), Elliot Henshaw and Matt Ford (lead vocals with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra) have all appeared with the group. Having completed two tours of Boston New Hampshire and Berlin (2005) the summer of 2008 sees Sandbach School Big Band making their debut at the Edinburgh Festival.

John is proud to be an endorsee of Antoine Courtois Musical Instruments and performs on a Courtois Bb Tenor Trombone Model SJB1.