Brandon Woody Berklee Ensemble
Brandon Woody Berklee Ensemble
Image courtesy of the artist
Berklee’s Signature Series presents Baltimore-born trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Brandon Woody leading the Brandon Woody Berklee Ensemble.
Professors Matthew Stevens and Gregory Groover selected the ensemble students and rehearsed them in preparation for performing with Woody. A Bach-endorsed artist, Woody draws from the rich traditions of Black music—including jazz, gospel, and improvisation—to create music that explores themes of love, resilience, and community. He signed with Blue Note Records in 2024, and a year later released his acclaimed debut album, For the Love of It All, with his longtime band Upendo.
Hailed by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody has performed at renowned venues and festivals including the Hollywood Bowl, Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo, and SFJAZZ. He has collaborated with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Robert Glasper’s Black Radio Orchestra, BADBADNOTGOOD, Solange Knowles, and Marc Cary. Committed to fostering community through music, Woody also leads master classes and workshops that inspire the next generation of musicians.