Brenden Durell chats to Men’s Health
2 years ago
United States Ambrose Akinmusire is an internationally recognized trumpeter and composer, bringing a unique blend of avant-garde jazz, hip-hop, and chamber music to global audiences. He has transitioned from a highly awarded young artist to an esteemed artistic director, shaping the next generation of jazz talent.
Interested in booking Ambrose Akinmusire?
Request A ShowAmbrose Akinmusire and Alonzo King partnered for “The Beauty of Dissolving Portraits,” a collaboration that captures the struggle for connection in a fractured world. This marks King's first-ever collaboration with Ambrose Akinmusire. The LINES Ballet's 2025 Spring Season also features another collaboration with Akinmusire.
Akinmusire collaborated with the Hamburg Ballet on Aszure Barton's "Slow Burn," which is noted as his second collaboration with a ballet company.
Ambrose Akinmusire and Aszure Barton initiated an ongoing creative collaboration titled A A | A B : B E N D. This project marks the beginning of their joint creative endeavors, followed by "Slow Burn."
Akinmusire released his debut album, "Owl Song," with Nonesuch Records, featuring a trio with two additional musicians. He also released "Honey From a Winter Stone" on Nonesuch Records.
Ambrose Akinmusire was named Artistic Director of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA. This position involves guiding and encouraging the next generation of jazz artists within the intensive, full-scholarship program.
Ambrose Akinmusire, born on May 1, 1982, in Oakland, California, began his musical journey at an early age. His talent was recognized when, as a member of the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble, he caught the attention of saxophonist Steve Coleman. Coleman invited Akinmusire to join his Five Elements band for a European tour, marking an early significant step in his career. Akinmusire further honed his skills by studying at the Manhattan School of Music, earning a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, and attending the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Los Angeles. His foundational experiences included participation in the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.
In 2007, Akinmusire achieved significant recognition by winning both the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, two leading jazz competitions. That same year, he released his debut album, “Prelude… to Cora,” on the Fresh Sound New Talent label. Moving back to New York City, he collaborated with notable musicians such as Vijay Iyer, Aaron Parks, Esperanza Spalding, and Jason Moran, and his work in Moran’s innovative multimedia concert event “In My Mind: Monk At Town Hall, 1957” further elevated his profile. These early successes led to him signing with Blue Note Records, a major turning point in his career.
Akinmusire’s career has been marked by continuous artistic development and critical acclaim. His Blue Note debut, “When the Heart Emerges Glistening,” was released in 2011, followed by “The Imagined Savior is Far Easier to Paint” in 2014. His album “Origami Harvest” was listed among The New York Times’ Best Jazz of 2018. In 2020, his sixth studio album, “On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment,” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. He has received numerous awards, including the 2014 North Sea Jazz Festival’s Paul Acket Award and the Doris Duke Artist and Impact Awards. His influence extends beyond performance, as evidenced by his appointment as Artistic Director of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA in 2023, where he now guides and inspires emerging jazz artists.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
