Roy Hargrove

Two-time Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and composer Roy Hargrove released his acclaimed debut album as a leader, ‘Diamond in the Rough,’ in 1990 under Novus/RCA, launching a prolific career influencing jazz, hip hop, R&B, and soul. His talent was recognized by Wynton Marsalis during a high school visit, leading to early performances with jazz luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie and Herbie Hancock. After studying at Berklee College of Music and The New School, Hargrove recorded initial studio sessions with Bobby Watson and Superblue. He consistently topped ‘Rising Star–Trumpet’ in the DownBeat Critics Poll from 1991 to 1993 and debuted on national television on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ in 1993.

He also led The Jazz Networks from 1992 to 1996, releasing five albums across Japan and Europe. Hargrove continued his ascent, signing with Verve Records in 1994, which led to ‘With the Tenors of Our Time’ that same year. He followed with ‘Family’ and ‘Parker’s Mood’ in 1995, with the latter recognized as a ‘1001 Best Album’ in jazz history. In 1995, Hargrove formed the Roy Hargrove Big Band, cementing his international reputation across Europe, Japan, and Latin America.

In 2021, ‘In Harmony,’ a collaborative album with Mulgrew Miller, reached the Top 5 on the Billboard jazz chart, the same year Hargrove was posthumously elected to the DownBeat Magazine ‘Jazz Hall of Fame.’ The documentary ‘Hargrove’ debuted to critical acclaim at the Tribeca Festival in 2022. Jazz at Lincoln Center released ‘The Love Suite: In Mahogany’ in 2023, and Verve Records announced ‘Grande-Terre’ by Roy Hargrove’s Crisol for release in 2024, ensuring his work reaches new audiences.