John Raymond is a young, talented trumpet player …” (New York Times). JOHN PLAYS WITH: John performs regularly with Orrin Evans (Billy Hart), Kurt Rosenwinkel (Kurt Rosenwinkel), Linda Oh, Dan Tepfer, Gilad Hekselman, and Orrin Hart among others. JOHN HAS PLAYED: John was recently a featured artist at NYC Winter Jazz Festival’s FONT Festival and Center City Jazz Festival. He has performed at many of the country’s most prestigious venues, including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and the Dakota Jazz Club, Jazz Showcase, Smalls Jazz Club, Blue Note Jazz Club, and the Dakota Jazz Club. He’s also recorded with Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles and performed at many notable events, including the Austin City Limits Music Festival as well as NPR’s Toast of the Nation New Years Eve celebration. AS A TEACHER: Raymond is a highly sought-after teacher and guest clinician at high schools and universities across the country. He has taught at New Trier High School and Purchase College, as well as the University of North Texas. He is currently a teacher at the United Nations International School, New York, and has helped to develop the curriculum for the SUNY Purchase Jazz Workshop as well as the New York Summer Jazz Institute. Raymond’s connection with students is genuine and personal. His unrestrained joy in making music inspires all of his students. His background: John is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He started playing the piano at age 7, and he began to play the trumpet at age 10. He began performing in high school at the Dakota Jazz Club, then in St. Paul. While in high school, he was able to learn from and play with some of the best musicians in the city. John earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he studied under Robert Baca. John was part of the Downbeat Award-winning Jazz Ensemble I. He wrote and recorded horn parts to 3 Grammy-nominated Gospel/Rap/R albums while at UWEC.
