MJF PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: WHEN: Sunday Afternoon Sept. 20, 2009 / 2:30pm WHERE: Garden Stage MJF HISTORY: MJF DEBUT!

Scotty Barnhart is an internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator, and author in his seventeenth year as a featured soloist with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. A two-time Grammy Award winner with the Basie Orchestra, he also appears on three critically acclaimed recordings by pianist Marcus Roberts and over ten others with artists as diverse as Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Ray Charles, and Tito Puente. Acknowledged as an authority on the history of jazz trumpet, he gave a keynote lecture and demonstration at the 2003 International Trumpet Guild Conference and continues to give lectures and seminars at universities in South America, Japan, China, Europe, South Africa, and all across the United States. Hal Leonard published his groundbreaking book, The World of Jazz Trumpet – a Comprehensive History and Practical Philosophyin 2005 to rave reviews. It is the first book of its kind in jazz education, and book signings (with live performances featuring the Scotty Barnhart Quintet) had standing room only crowds in New York, Los Angeles, setting a new attendance record at The Atlanta High Museum of Art.

Scotty was trumpeter for the Marcus Roberts Quintet in the late 80s and early 90s and garnered critical acclaim for his playing and sound. The New York Times wrote “Barnhart bears watching…laid out assured melodic lines in a singing, silvery tone.” He has also performed or recorded with Frank Sinatra, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Lalo Schifrin, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Jon Hendricks, Tony Bennett, Tito Puente, Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, and George Benson among others. Additionally, Scotty has performed at every major concert hall and jazz festival in the world at least once, been featured in the Asian Wall Street Journal, performed at the Academy Awards, and is in demand as a soloist and lecturer on jazz history. 

In April of 2008, Scotty signed his first recording contract as a leader with Unity Music. He has completed the sessions for his long anticipated debut CD, Say It Plain, with a worldwide release date set for May 19, 2009. Of Say It Plain, Bill Cosby states “Scotty Barnhart’s soulful work combines a mastery of tradition with vibrant originality. I love it!” An unprecedented lineup of musicians appearing with Scotty on his solo recording are Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Ellis Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Herlin Riley, Todd Williams, Leon Anderson, Jr., Bill Peterson, Rodney Jordan, Bruce Barth, and Jamie Davis.

A graduate of Florida A&M University with a degree in Music Education, Barnhart is also Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Florida State University and is profiled in Scott Yanow’s book, Trumpet Kings: The Players Who Shaped the Sound of Jazz Trumpet. He resides in Los Angeles, California, and Tallahassee, Florida. www.scottybarnhart.com