Born: November 19, 1985 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
John Raymond--New-York based trumpeter, composer, horn arranger, and educator--is an up-and-coming artist that is well on his way to becoming a major force in the music industry.
A finalist in the 2009 National Trumpet Competition, John has performed as a leader and sideman at many of the nation’s top venues including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (New York, NY), the Dakota Jazz Club (Minneapolis, MN), the Jazz Showcase (Chicago, IL) & the Iridium Jazz Club (New York, NY). He has performed with notable jazz musicians such as Maria Schneider, Chris Potter, John Abercrombie and Lewis Nash. In addition to performing throughout the United States, John has also toured internationally to the Dominican Republic, China, the United Kingdom & Ireland. John has also distinguished himself as an elite horn arranger, evidenced by the three Grammy-nominated songs that he has arranged and recorded horns for (by R&B artists Ann Nesby & Calvin Richardson, respectively).
Originally from Minneapolis, MN, John performed regularly there with world-reknown Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera (former musical director of Cubanismo!), including notable performances at the Austin City Limits Music Festival as well as NPR’s Toast of the Nation 2008. John also began working closely with Stellar-award winning and Grammy-nominated producer & writer Darnell Davis, as he became the primary horn arranger for Davis’ nationally-recognized gospel group The Remnant.
John earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he was a part of the 2009 Downbeat Award-winning UWEC Jazz Ensemble, performing with artists such as Maria Schneider, Lewis Nash, Benny Green, Jerry Bergonzi, Wycliffe Gordon & Benny Golson. During this time John also self-produced two original recordings as well as taught trumpet and jazz improvisation at the Shell Lake Arts Center, Eau Claire Memorial High School (five-time finalists of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition) and various Minneapolis-area junior high and high schools.
Upon moving to New York City in 2009, John completed a Master’s degree from SUNY Purchase where he studied with Todd Coolman, John Abercrombie, and Hal Galper among others. In 2011 John recorded his debut album “Strength & Song.” Produced by legendary trumpeter Jon Faddis, the album features John’s original compositions that draw on jazz, rock, hip-hop and pop influences to produce emotionally engaging music with affecting, memorable melodies. Accompanying John on the album is a cast of New York’s finest rising star musicians including pianist Gerald Clayton, guitarist Gilad Hekselman and alto saxophonist Tim Green among others.
“John is among the more expressive and inventive of the young cats on the scene now.” --Scott Wendholt, Trumpeter with Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
“An impressive debut recording with great writing and playing…John is a very talented trumpet player and composer with a great future ahead of him.” --Jon Gordon
“John’s music has grown layers, his book increasingly diverse…spending a night with the John Raymond Project isn’t just about musical talent, of which there is plenty. It’s about witnessing the joy of creation and sharing that joy.” -- JazzPolice.com
Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Willing to teach:
Beginners
Credentials/Background:
B.M. Trumpet Performance - UW-Eau Claire
M.M. Jazz Studies - SUNY Purchase College
Currently teaching trumpet students as well as a beginner's
trumpet class at the United Nations International School. Also
teaching various master classes and clinics around the country
for trumpet students, jazz students (small group, big band and
improvisation), as well as composition students.
