Trumpeter and bandleader Irvin Mayfield is one of the most prominent jazz musicians of his generation in New Orleans — a technically gifted player and passionate advocate for the city's jazz tradition whose career has encompassed leading the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, recording widely acclaimed albums, and serving as the city's cultural ambassador.
Biography
Mayfield was born in New Orleans in 1977 and studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts before developing into one of the city's leading jazz voices. He founded the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in 2002 and built it into one of the country's most respected large jazz ensembles, earning Grammy nominations and performing worldwide. His solo recordings showcase a trumpet style rooted in the New Orleans tradition but open to contemporary influences, and his advocacy for jazz education and the preservation of the city's musical culture has made him a central figure in New Orleans' musical life. He lost his father in Hurricane Katrina, an experience that has deeply informed his commitment to the city and its culture.
Discography
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