John Raymond

Labeled “a prepossessing young trumpet player…” (Nate Chinen, New York Times), John Raymond is quickly making a name for himself as an up-and-coming artist to keep an eye on. A featured artist at the 2012 10th Annual FONT Festival (Festival of New Trumpet) and the 2013 Winter Jazz Festival, Raymond has already performed as a leader at some the nation's top venues including Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, the Dakota Jazz Club, the Jazz Showcase, Smalls Jazz Club and the Blue Note Jazz Club. John has performed at notable events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and on NPR's Toast of the Nation New Year's Eve celebration and he has collaborated or performed with musicians such as John Abercrombie, Chris Potter, Ben Williams, Mike Moreno, Orrin Evans, Linda Oh and Otis Brown III among others. Raymond has also distinguished himself as an elite horn arranger, working with top gospel and R&B artists across the country and most clearly
evidenced by the three GRAMMY-nominated songs that he has arranged
and recorded horns for.

His debut album “Strength & Song,” released in February 2012 and produced by legendary trumpeter Jon Faddis, has attracted national and international attention ("Strength & Song signals the arrival of an exciting new trumpet personality poised for greater things" – All About Jazz, New York). The album includes pianist Gerald Clayton and guitarist Gilad Hekselman among others, and it features Raymond's carefully-crafted original compositions that draw on jazz, rock and hip-hop influences to create emotionally engaging music with affecting, memorable melodies.

Raymond is also a sought-after educator and guest clinician for high schools and universities around the country, and he has taught or led masterclasses at schools such as New Trier High School, Purchase College and the University of North Texas among others. He has developed curriculum for both the SUNY Purchase Jazz Workshop and the New York Summer Jazz Institute, has been on faculty at the Shell Lake Arts Center, and currently teaches private lessons & classroom instruction at the United Nations International School in New York. The connection that Raymond
establishes with students is personal and authentic, and his unfettered joy for making music inspires students wherever he goes.

John Raymond is available for performances, recordings, and artist-in-residencies worldwide. John is also available as a guest clinician, private lesson teacher and for other educational purposes as well. Please contact him for more information.

“Possessing a forte that few seasoned musicians have attained…a brilliant talent whose luminosity is endless” (Birmingham Times)

“Even a quick listen brings to mind comparisons to such forward-thinking and invigorating older hornmen as Terence Blanchard and Sean Jones…”
(Ottawa Citizen)

“A rapidly maturing artist with his own artistic vision”
(Jazzink.blogspot.com)

“John is among the more expressive and inventive of the young cats on the scene now.”
(Scott Wendholt)