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!
Programm
Sept 7 • Virtual (YouTube) • 7pm
Brass Without Borders I – Night for Ukraine
Opening Night Nods to Dizzy Reece & Doc Severinsen
Dennis Adu (Ukraine)
Dennis Adu (tp), Alexander Malyshev (p), Alexander Yemets (b), Pasha Galitskyi (dr)
Yakiv Tsvietinskyi (Ukraine)
Yakiv Tsvietinskyi (tp), Taras Kushniruk (g), Vladyslav Hrudnitskiy (p), Dmytro Lytvynenko (dr)
Dima Bondarev (Ukraine)
Dima Bondarev (tp), Igor Osypov (g), Oliver Steidle (dr)
Sept 8 • The Owl Music Parlor • 8pm
Alexandra Ridout / Sonny Singh
(Donation, $12 suggested)
Alexandra Ridout Trio (UK/USA)
Alexandra Ridout (tp), Iver Cardas (g), Will Sach (b)
Sonny Singh (USA)
Sonny Singh (voc/tp/dhol), Jonathan Goldberger (g), Mackenzie Shivers (harmonium/keys/voc), Yuka Tadano (b), Rohin Khemani (dr/tabla)
Sept 9 • Virtual (YouTube) • 7pm
Brass Without Borders II
Natsuki Tamura (Japan)
Natsuki Tamura (trumpet)
Jeanette Nenezian Group (Argentina)
Jeanette Nenezian (tp/comp), Juana Sallies (voc), Nahuel Bracchitta (g), Esteban Freytes (b), Andy Dellacasa (dr)
Ashley Ballat (Australia)
Ashley Ballat (tp), Ollie Cox (dr/perc)
Sept 10 • The New School • 7pm
55W 13th Street, Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall, 4th floor
David Sanford Big Band featuring Hugh Ragin
→ Open rehearsal on Sept 9 (2-5pm) for students of The New School
Works by David Sanford and Hugh Ragin and World Premieres by Du Yun and Dave Douglas
Ted Levine, Kelley Hart Jenkins, Kenny Pexton, Lee Odom, Brad Hubbard (reeds), Dan Urness, Gareth Flowers, Wayne J. du Maine, Jon Nelson, Hugh Ragin (tp), Mike Christianson, Jim Messbauer, Ben Herrington, Steve Gehring (tb), Ferran Martinez (tuba), Dave Fabris (g), Geoff Burleson (p), Dave Phillips (b), Mark Raynes (dr), Theo Moore, David Cossin (perc), David Sanford (cond)
Du Yun (comp)
Dave Douglas (comp)
David Sanford (dir)
Hugh Ragin (tp)
Sept 11 (Afternoon) • Laurie Frink Studio • 2pm
Masterclass with Nadje Noordhuis
Announcement of the Winner of the 2022 Laurie Frink Career Grant
Nadje Noordhuis
Sept 11 (Evening) • The New School • 7pm
55W 13th Street, Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall, 4th floor
Tributes to Cynthia Robinson and Jon Hassell
Tribute to Cynthia Robinson by Lessie Vonner
Lessie Vonner (tp), Gabrielle Murphy (sax), Christin Devine (voc), Arco Sandoval (keys), Keyanna Hutchinson (g), Jonathan Michel (b), Gary Jones III (dr)
Tribute to Jon Hassell by Aaron Shragge
Aaron Shragge (tp/shakuhachi/fx), Luke Schwartz (g), Damon Banks (b), Deric Dickens (dr), special guest: Nadje Noordhuis (tp/fx)
Sept 12 • Virtual (YouTube) • 7pm
Brass Without Borders III
Charlotte Keeffe (UK)
Charlotte Keeffe (trumpet)
Magnus Broo (Sweden)
Magnus Broo (trumpet)
Sept 13 • The Jazz Gallery • 7:30 / 9:30 pm
Keyon Harrold
Keyon Harrold and Gen Next (USA)
Keyon Harrold (tp), Brandon Volel (tp), Jahari Stamply (p), Dan Winshall (b), Christian McGee (dr)
„Sometimes folks can’t speak for themselves, so as humbly and as honestly as I can, I try to speak for those people with my music.“ — Keyon Harrold
Sept 14 • Virtual (YouTube) • 7pm
Award Of Recognition
Enrico Rava (Italy)
For 20 years FONT Music has been directed by Dave Douglas along with an all-volunteer staff and board of trumpeters and brass fans. The Festival of New Trumpet Music is dedicated to supporting new trumpeters and trumpet music in all its forms.