Ambrose Akinmusire

Known as a constantly searching and forward-looking musician, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire won the Thelonious Monk (now Herbie Hancock) International Jazz Competition in 2007 at 27 years old. His first album, Prelude to Cora, announced a bright new talent willing to honor multiple strains of influences from hip-hop to classical with stops at post-bop, funk, and free jazz. His periodic highly-regarded solo efforts have been complemented by a string of excellent sideman collaborations. Recent work from exciting young trumpeter Ambrose Akimusire as we wrap up our four-part exploration of today's trumpet masters in this hour of Jazz at 100 Today!

Known as a constantly searching and forward-looking musician, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire won the Thelonious Monk (now Herbie Hancock) International Jazz Competition in 2007 at 27 years old. His first disc, Prelude to Cora, announced a bright new talent willing to honor multiple strains of influences from hip-hop to classical with stops at post-bop, funk, and free jazz. His periodic highly-regarded solo efforts have been complemented by a string of excellent sideman collaborations. Recent work from exciting young trumpeter Ambrose Akimusire as we wrap up our four-part exploration of today’s trumpet masters in this hour of Jazz at 100 Today!

Camden’s Jazz Café is set to reopen its doors from 17 May onwards with a packed weekly programme of shows across jazz, funk, folk and soul acts. Having successfully staged a vibrant programme last summer when restrictions eased; and then shoehorned in a few more shows in December before the pre-Christmas lockdown, the venue transformed its downstairs standing-roomonly floor space into a seated area with carefully spaced tables, as well as providing table service to avoid queues at the bar.

Jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, just 38 years old, is on the cusp of global fame, thanks to his efforts and talent. His fifth album, “on the tender spot of every calloused moment,” was nominated for a 2021 Grammy Award as Best Jazz Instrumental Album and was named as one of the top 20 jazz albums of 2020 by Jazzwise magazine. Released as a CD on the Blue Note label in June 2020 and on vinyl in August, the recording is singular due to its varying depths. Consistent with Akinmusire’s oeuvre to date, the album takes in the harsh and mellow sounds of the culture and puts them through the highly personal, creative and musically skilled instrument he wields. As his website notes: “He’s on a perpetual quest for new paradigms, masterfully weaving inspiration from other genres, arts and life in general into compositions that are as poetic and graceful as they are bold and unflinching.”