Celebrating the 20th season!
FONT was conceived out of humble beginnings: a post-gig conversation, a sketch on a cocktail napkin, and an ambition to spotlight the full expressive range of the trumpet through the voices of its manifold practitioners. What started on that cocktail napkin twenty years ago has grown into something we never could have dreamed of: featuring over fifty artists from around the globe and nine different events, this year’s festival is the most ambitious edition of FONT to date, and we are overjoyed to announce the return of live, in-person programming. Welcome to the 20th season of the Festival of New Trumpet Music!
The fest kicks off on September 7th with a special edition of Brass Without Borders, featuring three distinct voices from Ukraine. Dennis Adu, Yakiv Tsvietinskyi, and Dima Bondarev will grace our virtual stage, demonstrating the power of music to foster resilience and fortitude in times of great crisis. On September 8th, we celebrate the return of in-person programming with an evening at the Owl Music Parlor, and sets from British trumpeter Alexandra Ridout, a Parliamentary Jazz Awards nominee, and Sonny Singh, original member of acclaimed bhangra brass band Red Baraat. Don’t miss our first in-person concert since 2019!
September 9th ushers in another evening of Brass Without Borders, and trumpet practitioners from three different continents: a solo set from Natsuki Tamura (Japan), the formidable Jeanette Nenezian Group (Argentina), and Ashley Ballat playing duo with drummer Ollie Cox (Australia). The following evening, September 10th, we’re live and in-person at The New School with the David Sanford Big Band, featuring soloist Hugh Ragin and the world premiere of new compositions by Pulitzer Prize winner Du Yun and our fearless leader Dave Douglas.
This year we’re pleased to feature a masterclass with Nadje Noordhuis on the afternoon of September 11th, alongside the announcement of the winner of the 2022 Laurie Frink Career Grant. Trumpeters of all skill levels will benefit from Nadje’s acute wisdom and insight. In the evening, we’re back at The New School with tributes to two of the giants of our instrument: a tribute to Cynthia Robinson by Lessie Vonner, and a tribute to Jon Hassell by Aaron Shragge. On September 12th, we wrap up this year’s Brass Without Borders series with virtual performances by Magnus Broo (Sweden) and Charlotte Keeffe (UK).
We host the final in-person performance of the festival on September 13th at the iconic Jazz Gallery, featuring two sets by the great Keyon Harrold. Finally, the festival comes to a close on September 14th with the virtual presentation of this year’s FONT Award of Recognition to the legendary Enrico Rava. With so many different musical offerings, we’re confident that this year’s festival includes something for everyone. Join us!
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Archive
In our archive all performances of the virtual festivals of the past two years are available. Enjoy!
The Festival of New Trumpet Music – a grassroots nonprofit project run by and for a community of trumpeters – supports new trumpet music in all forms.
FONT Music aims to provide a platform for emerging artists and creative pioneers, with the goal of celebrating the diversity and excellence of contemporary brass music.
Presenting a week-long festival in September, as well as isolated events throughout the year, FONT Music includes disparate communities of musicians, students, and audiences. The festival is multi-genre, including jazz, new music, balkan, latin, electronic and experimental music, as well as educational events.
Directed since 2003 by trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas, FONT Music is overseen by an all-volunteer board that includes some of the finest brass players on the scene.
News
Interviews
Read exciting interviews with former performers of the festival