Scott Wendholt

Biography

Scott Wendholt is an articulate, passionate, and lyrical trumpeter who approaches music with energy and spirit. He connects with audiences with sincerity and ease.

Born in the mid-sixties and raised in the Mile High City (Denver), he left for Indiana University and then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Still drawn further east, he eventually joined the vibrant New York City scene, where he continues to live.

Mr. Wendholt is in high demand and has worked in a wide range of musical settings. He has recorded and, or performed with artists such as Kenny Garrett, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, Don Braden, and Bruce Barth. For six years, he was a core member of Vincent Herring’s quintet, which recorded three albums including Folklore, Live at the Village Vanguard. He has toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, South America, Africa, and Japan with these and other groups.

Scott appears on more than sixty CDs and is also recognized as a bandleader. His quintet album What Goes Unsaid was released on the Doubletime Jazz label in September 2000, following four other well-received releases (one more with Doubletime and three on the Dutch Criss Cross label). This album received strong critical acclaim, including a 4-star review in DownBeat.

The big band scene has also embraced Scott for his versatility and commanding presence. His credits include the Carnegie Hall Big Band (led by Jon Faddis), Maria Schneider’s Big Band, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, and the Buddy Rich Big Band. For over a decade, he has been a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Thad Jones, Mel Lewis Big Band).

Mr. Wendholt continues to be active both as a performer and educator. He is on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music and teaches at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camps. He is also a sought-after clinician and guest artist at colleges and music institutions around the globe.