Sean Jones

Former Chair

Affiliated Departments

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Trumpeter Sean Jones is also a composer, educator, and chair of the Brass Department at Berklee College of Music. He is the artistic director of both the Pittsburgh and Cleveland jazz orchestras and has performed and/or recorded with Joe Lovano, Chico O’Farrill, Jimmy Heath, Nancy Wilson, and Dianne Reeves, and with Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter in the 2011 Tribute to Miles tour. Jones holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University and was lead trumpeter with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra until 2010. He has recently released his seventh recording on Mack Avenue Records, im.pro.vise = never before seen, and is currently a member of the SFJazz Collective.

Career Highlights

Mack Avenue recording artist since 2004
Lead trumpet for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra from 2004 to 2010
Member of the Marcus Miller Band from 2010 to 2014
Current member of the SFJazz Collective and the Miles Davis Electric Band
Recordings include his own im.pro.vise = never before seen, the Grammy-winning Beautiful Life with Dianne Reeves, Congo Square with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Renaissance with Marcus Miller, the Grammy-winning Turned to Blue with Nancy Wilson, and the Grammy-winning New York, New Sound with Gerald Wilson
Recipient of the Heinz Endowments Small Arts Initiative Grant
Private lessons with trumpet pedagog William Fielder

Awards

Recorded on three Grammy Award–winning albums: Dianne Reeve's Beautiful Life, Nancy Wilson's Turned to Blue, and Gerald Wilson's New York, New Sound

In Their Own Words

"It is my firm belief that the students' best teacher is themselves. My job is to be a tour guide along their journey, pointing out highlights, pitfalls, and detours ahead."

"As a touring and recording artist on the scene, I am aware of the challenges that students will face upon graduation. Because I'm dealing with those challenges myself, I can help them to prepare for when they encounter them."

"At Berklee, students are able to study with musicians that literally cover the gambit of music styles. From jazz, funk, and hip-hop to classical, we've got it covered—not only covered, the best is here."

"As the music industry changes daily, Berklee is at the forefront of that change in that the faculty, students, and industry leaders who work here are making that change happen. If you want to be a part of where music is going, Berklee is the place."