Elan Trotman

Saxophonist Elan Trotman has quickly become one of jazz’s most thrilling and emotive performers as he continues to stand out and push boundaries as a composer, performer, teacher, and recording artist. Trotman’s playing, though inspired by Grover Washington Jr., Kirk Whalum, and Najee, displays his own fresh ideas and distinctive tone—so much so that the New England Urban Music Awards and the Barbados Music Awards both named him Jazz Artist of the Year on multiple occasions.

Trotman is also the executive producer and host of the Barbados Jazz Excursion, a jazz and golf weekend getaway which brings more than 300 music lovers to the island every Columbus Day weekend. Past performers include Jeff Lorber, Javier Colon, Marcus Anderson, Jeff Bradshaw, Mike Phillips, Avery Sunshine, Karen Briggs, Norman Brown, Maysa, and Jeffrey Osborne, to name a few. Trotman is also the founder of the Never Lose Your Drive Foundation—a nonprofit that directly funds the Headstart Music Program. Headstart Music provides free weekly instrument instruction to students ages 7–11 on saxophone, trumpet, flute, clarinet, and percussion. In partnership with the Barbados Jazz Excursion and Golf Weekend, the foundation has donated over $50,000.00 to help support tutor salaries, instrument maintenance, and supplies for the program.

Born and raised in Barbados, the native island of pop star Rihanna, and educated at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, Trotman approaches jazz in his own way. Blending Caribbean rhythms from his roots with skillful horn textures, his playing is full of surprises. In 2021, he returned to his alma mater as an associate professor in the Ensemble Department.

Trotman has recorded and performed with a number of world-class musicians, including Michael McDonald, Roberta Flack, Jonathan Butler, Johnny Gill, Jeffrey Osborne, Sheila E., Marcus Miller, Will Downing, Jeff Lorber, Peabo Bryson, and many others. A huge sports fan, Trotman has performed the national anthem on numerous occasions for such teams as the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers. As an avid sports fan, he has provided entertainment for numerous celebrities including the Bronson Arroyo Band, Cold Pizza on ESPN with Woody Page, Jeffrey Osborne's Celebrity Golf Classic, Chris Tucker's Charity Golf Tournament, Ray Allen's Golf Tournament, and Hot Stove Cool Music with Peter Gammons and Theo Epstein.

As a recording artist, Trotman has topped the Billboard Radio Charts on over 15 occasions. As a featured artist, he has graced the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay charts alongside bassist Julian Vaughn ("Ride Along") and JJ Sansaverino ("Style and Elegance"). Other top 10 collaborations include “Magic Men” by Marion Meadows, “Groove Me” by Greg Manning, “Just What You Need” by Brian Simpson, and “Smooth" by Cal Harris Jr. And as a soloist, Top 30 hits include “Heaven In Your Eyes” feat. Brian Simpson, “Tradewinds” feat Peter White, “Master Blaster,” “As” feat. Lin Rountree, “Thoughts of Summer” feat. Will Downing, “Smooth 'N Saxy,” “Got To Give It Up.” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Brighter Days Ahead” feat. Adam Hawley, and “Passport To Paradise."

Trotman endorses Cannonball Saxophones, Theo Wanne Mouthpieces, Silverstein Ligatures, and Caribbean Apparel.