Shawn Edmonds

Shawn Edmonds made his solo debut in 1982 after winning the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Solo Competition. Upon graduating the Eastman School of Music he moved to New York City where he began his tenure as featured soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra, a position he held for 10 years. As a freelance musician in New York City, after leaving the Basie Organization his career has crossed the genres of classical, jazz and commercial music. He has performed as a substitute with the Queens Symphony, Westchester Philharmonic, Beirut Philharmonic Pops Orchestra as well as with Bette Midler, lead trumpet with Aretha Franklin and soloist with the Duke Ellington Big Band. As a soloist he has performed with the New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble as well as the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble. As an international clinician Mr. Edmonds has conducted masterclasses in Tokyo, Japan and in the United States at schools such as Howard University, Rutgers University and University of Mary. He was recently principal trumpet for the 2018 Emmy Award winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar live on NBC featuring John Legend and Alice Cooper. This Emmy win accompanies his 1998 Grammy win with the Count Basie Orchestra for the CD Count Plays Duke.