Brandon Ridenour, a groundbreaking trumpet soloist, collaborative artist, composer, arranger, and conductor, gained acclaim for his innovative approach at an early age. Recognized as “heralding the trumpet of the future” (Chicago Sun-Times) and for his “full-bodied, atmospheric arrangements” (New York Times), he began learning about the wonders of music at age 5, studying piano under the tutelage of his father. This morphed into “tootelage” when he picked up the trumpet in 5th grade band class in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Upon graduating from the Juilliard School, he immediately began touring with the Canadian Brass and embarked on a solo career. 

 

Brandon has won competitions ranging from the International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition to the American Composers Forum. In 2014, he was a winner of the Concert Artist Guild competition, becoming the first trumpeter to win the competition in 30 years and join their artist roster. Emphasizing the role of performer-composer, he assembled a mixed quintet of similar minded musicians in 2014 with violinist/singer, Ben Russell, called Founders. In 2023 he started Brassology with co-founder and jazz trombone virtuoso, Marshall Gilkes. His solo-collaborative album "Come Together" transformed Beatles classics into an initiative for social cohesion and environmental consciousness. Through inventive arrangements, Ridenour has expanded the trumpet's horizons, weaving genres in solo and collaborative works. 

 

He has worked with a diverse array of musicians including Sting, James Taylor, Marvin Hamlisch, Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Bruce Cockburn, Caroline Shaw, Vienna Teng, and esteemed ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, International Contemporary Ensemble, the Knights, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Ymusic, Publiquartet, NuDeco Ensemble and many others. He’s been a featured soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony and more. He also frequently plays with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

 

In 2023, Brandon came full circle joining the American Brass Quintet and becoming faculty at his alma mater The Juilliard School of Music. He is also on faculty at The New School (Mannes) and the Manhattan School of Music, where he is passionate about developing a new model of education for a well-rounded, progressive musician of the future. Aside from music, Brandon enjoys playing tennis and has taken courses at Upright Citizen’s Brigade in NYC. He isn’t very good at either.