Jonathan Martin has performed for thousands of people over the past twenty years. As a member of numerous orchestras, jazz ensembles and commercial groups, Jonathan has had experience in almost every genre of music.

Born in Baton Rouge, LA in 1961, Jonathan Martin has been a professional trumpet player since 1984. After graduating from Louisiana State University and studying with George Foss, Jonathan won a position with the U.S.A.F. “Band of the West” stationed in San Antonio, TX. As a member of that group, Jonathan performed as solo cornet and as a member of the jazz ensemble, a Latin/pop group, and the brass quintet. As a member of the “Band of the West” he performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Shew, and Lou Rawls.

During his time in San Antonio, Jonathan completed a Masters degree in Music from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His schedule with the Air Force allowed him to freelance in the San Antonio area, performing with the San Antonio Symphony, the San Antonio Brass, and various Latin and jazz groups around the city.

After four years with the Air Force Band, Jonathan was accepted at the University of Iowa to pursue a doctorate. While at Iowa, Jonathan studied with David Greenhoe and earned a job with the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra. Upon completion of the Doctorate in Trumpet Performance and Pedagogy, he was appointed Prof. of Trumpet and Jazz at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

In Chicago, Dr. Martin performed with many groups and artists including:

The Lake Forrest Symphony Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, Jim Nabors, Dudley Moore, The Big Band of Chicago, The Barret Deems Jazz Orchestra, The Chicago Sinfonetta, The Asbury Brass Quintet, and a number of Broadway shows on tour.

After five years in Chicago, Jonathan accepted a position at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. From 1998-2006 Jonathan was Prof. of Trumpet and Jazz and a member of the university’s faculty Jazz Quintet and Faculty Brass Quintet. As a member of the Faculty Brass, he recorded three compact discs. He was also active in the International Trumpet Guild, having his students perform a number of times at the international conferences. In January of 2006, Dr. Martin was invited to teach and perform at the “Exploring Trumpet in Greece” workshop held in Kalavrita, Greece, which featured Chicago Symphony trumpeter John Hagstrom. As a jazz ensemble director, Jonathan has worked with: Bobby Shew (Jonathan and Bobby Shew pictured on the right), Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Maria Schneider, Vince DiMartino, and Steve Wiest to name a few.

Jonathan is currently Principal Trumpet with the Lexington (KY) Philharmonic Orchestra. He also performs regularly with the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra. Over the past few years Jonathan has performed with: Dionne Warwick, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Scott, Byron Stripling, Lil Anthony and the Imperials, Johnny Mathis, and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Jonathan has recently teamed up with pianist Nancy Foss to create a dynamic trumpet- piano duo that is available for recitals and master classes.

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 jmartintrumpet.com, 2008

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