John Raymond

“Creative, unpredictable, and compelling. John has a unique voice, and he is definitely saying something that is worth listening to” (Jon Faddis).

Labeled “a prepossessing young trumpet player…” (New York Times), John Raymond is quickly making a name for himself as an up-and-coming artist. A finalist in the 2009 National Trumpet Competition, John was a featured artist at the 2012 10th Annual FONT Festival and the 2013 NYC Winter Jazz Festival. He has performed as a leader at some of the nation’s top venues, including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the Dakota Jazz Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and the Blue Note Jazz Club, as well as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and on NPR’s “Toast of the Nation New Year’s Eve Celebration.” John has collaborated or performed with musicians such as John Abercrombie, Chris Potter, Ben Williams, Maria Schneider, Linda Oh, and Otis Brown III, among others. Raymond is a distinguished horn arranger, evidenced by three GRAMMY-nominated songs for which he arranged and recorded horns.

His debut album, “Strength & Song,” released in February 2012 and produced by legendary trumpeter Jon Faddis, has attracted national and international attention (“Soaring. A strong early work…very complete and well intentioned” – NextBop.com, “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 creating emotionally engaging music with affecting, memorable melodies.

Raymond is a sought-after guest clinician for high schools and universities around the country, having 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 City.

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

“Undoubtedly the most protective, well-crafted, and hippest looking trumpet cases ever made…I wouldn’t even consider using anything else besides a Torpedo Bag to carry my horns!” — John Raymond.

John and his Coyote grace stages and lecture halls around the country.