Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet

“Ambrose Akinmusire is a thrilling young trumpeter and astute bandleader with a unique spark in his playing. In 2007 Akinmusire won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, decided by a panel of judges that included Terence Blanchard, Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert and Roy Hargrove. That same year, Ambrose also won the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition and released his debut album. He has never looked back!” –The New Yorker

“There’s a thoughtful poise to Akinmusire’s inventive, often incandescent trumpet playing that justifies the praise that’s been heaped upon him. If all he brought to the table were his daring trumpet playing, Ambrose would surely have turned heads, but his ongoing canon of recordings has exceeded every expectation. It’s as if he’s always had this idea of what his music should be, and the limitations of the instrument didn’t deter him from that.”—Terence Blanchard

“Mr. Akinmusire can’t help but make an impression. The connection he achieves with his band is awe-inspiring. His spry quartet knows how to flesh out his ideas in an unfolding present tense.” —JazzTimes

Ambrose says: “I think you reach a point as a musician where you can’t go any further alone. And I think everybody in my band has sort of reached that level. When I play with my band... it’s endless.”

This performance is made possible, in part, by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts through a grant from the Western Jazz Presenters Network.