Trained as a musician in idioms both traditional and unorthodox, American trumpeter Sam Jones has been praised by the New York Times for his “remarkable playing" and performances "rendered with panache." With NYC as a home base, Jones works with a wide range of artists: from Elliott Carter, Liza Lim, and Joe Hisaishi to John Zorn, Ornette Coleman and La Monte Young, he appears in roles soloist and guest musician alike with many groups including Talea Ensemble, Bang on a Can, and The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

   Jones presents performance art projects, most notably with the likes of William Kentridge, Max Davies, Carol Szymanski, and Kanye West.

   Playing the music of new composers as well as old, Sam Jones has premiered and recorded several works with Charles Wuorinen and The Group For Contemporary Music. Additionally, since being awarded the interpretation prize at the Stockhausen Courses in Kürten, Germany, he gave the U.S. premiere of the late composer’s “Erwachen,” a trio with trumpet alongside cellist Jay Campbell and the late saxophonist Ryan Muncy. Jones is a member of Talea Ensemble and Ensemble Échappé.

   Other highlights include performances at festivals across the world: Lincoln Center, Helsinki, Lucerne, Ostrava, Leipzig Bach, Grafenegg, Gardincourt, and Darmstadt, among many others. Sam Jones appears on albums with Alarm Will Sound, International Contemporary Ensemble, Talea Ensemble, Charles Wuorinen, Louis Karchin, the Kyle Athayde Dance Party, TILT Brass, Wang Lu, Nina C. Young, Zosha Di Castri, and Ensemble Échappé.

    Following the death of the great Pierre Boulez, Jones played as a member of the Boulez Memorial Concert Orchestra in Lucerne, Switzerland.

    Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Sam Jones (b. 1993) began his studies at a young age with Carolyn Wahl and Rob Smith, both members of The Florida Orchestra. As his musical pursuits became more serious through high school, he won the National Trumpet Competition and later studied at the Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale. While an undergraduate student at Juilliard, his interest in electronics and improvisation earned him a fellowship at the Future Music Lab, a collaboration with IRCAM, the world's leading electronic music institution based in Paris. Winner of the 2019 “World Trumpet Society” International Competition, Sam is based in New York City, with frequent performances worldwide.

    Jones is a graduate of The Juilliard School. His major teachers are Håkan Hardenberger and Mark Gould. He is the trumpet instructor at St. Ann's School in New York City.

Check out “7 Premieres for Solo Trumpet” from February 2021!