Take Five With John Raymond

John Raymond

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Take Five With John Raymond

Published: February 2, 2012

Meet John Raymond:
"A dynamic and soulful musician, both as a trumpet player and a composer. John Raymond uses his knowledge of the jazz tradition to forge a style that honors the masters of our music as well as being creative, unpredictable and compelling. John has a unique voice, and he is definitely saying something that is worth listening to."

— Jon Faddis, world-renowned trumpeter/educator.

John Raymond—New-York based trumpeter, composer 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, the Dakota Jazz Club, the Jazz Showcase and the Blue Note Jazz Club. In 2011, John recorded his debut album, Strength & Song. Produced by 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.

Instrument(s):
Trumpet.

Teachers and/or influences?
Clifford Brown, Art Farmer, Miles Davis, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Avishai Cohen.

Your teaching approach:
I challenge students to grow as well-rounded musicians beyond what they know they can do, as well as seek to cultivate their character as they pursue music.

Your dream band:
Gilad Hekselman, Gerald Clayton, Ben Williams, Brian Blade.

Favorite venue:
Smalls Jazz Club.

Did you know...
I tap danced for 10 years.

CDs you are listening to now:
Art Farmer, Out Of The Past;
Ari Hoenig, Lines of Oppression;
Avishai Cohen, Introducing Triveni;
Bon Iver, Bon Iver;
Mike Moreno, Between The Lines.

Desert Island picks:
Kurt Rosenwinkel, The Remedy;
Clifford Brown, With Strings;
Miles Davis, The Complete Concert and Four & More;
Herbie Hancock, Empyrean Isles;
Terence Blanchard, Flow.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Continued, relentless pursuit of growth by musicians to create music that engages audiences in a memorable way, jazz club owners that desire to make their clubs about the music first, and patronage from the public to support musicians in creating music that is beneficial for the global community of people.

What is in the near future?
I'm looking to tour across the country and around the world in promotion of my debut album, Strength & Song. I'm also currently writing new music for my band in hopes of recording again within a few years, as well as working on music for a new chord-less group with trumpet, saxophone, bass and drums.

By Day:
Teaching at the United Nations International School as well as arranging/recording horns for various R&B/Gospel artists around the country with the Twin Cities Horns (a self-founded horn section).

Photo Credit
Courtesy of John Raymond