Jon-Erik Kellso (Trumpet - USA)

Trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso started playing professionally in and around Detroit, Michigan where he was born in 1964. Jon began early, playing in a big band at age 11, in the International Youth Symphony at age 13, and in a concert alongside Wild Bill Davison at age 17. Kellso played with a wide variety of groups there, including the J.C. Heard Orchestra.

In '88 Jon-Erik joined James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band with whom he's made appearances throughout North America, concertized on PBS TV, and recorded extensively, including a new CD with Maria Muldaur entitled "Naughty, Bawdy, and Blue," and a DVD with her as well.

Since moving to New York City in 1989 to join Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, Jon has enjoyed performing and recording with the likes of Ralph Sutton, Dan Barrett, Howard Alden, Marty Grosz, Milt Hinton, Dick Hyman, Linda Ronstadt, Banu Gibson, Madeleine Peyroux, Leon Redbone, Ken Peplowski, Bob Wilbur, and Kenny Davern.

Recent engagements include a tour of Brazil with pianist Judy Carmichael; various appearances on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" live Public Radio International show; concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with John Lithgow; a week as featured artist at Jazzland in Vienna; a 10 week tour of the U.S. with Ken Peplowski's Kingdom of Swing big band; concerts as a featured soloist in the U.K., Germany and Australia; annual appearances in jazz clubs and festivals in New Orleans; and jazz parties and festivals throughout the United States and Europe.

Other bands that Kellso is currently a member of in addition to Dapogny's and Giordano's are: (Matt Munisteri’s) Brock Mumford, (Orange Kellin's) Manhattan Ragtime Orchestra, and David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Centennial Band (a.k.a. the Gully Low Jazz Band).

Kellso can be heard on several television and movie soundtracks, including the Nickelodeon children's show "Blue's Clues," and the recent movies “Ghost World,” "The Aviator," and "The Good Shepherd" with Vince Giordano's Nighthawks.

Recently Jon was featured on a soundtrack recording session with Wynton Marsalis for an upcoming movie about legendary New Orleanian cornetist Buddy Bolden entitled "Bolden!" Watch and listen for Kellso, Vince Giordano, Leonardo DeCaprio and Kate Winslet in "Revolutionary Road," due out in late '08.

Jon has recorded several times on Arbors Records, including three CDs as a leader and two with Ruby Braff. Jon pays tribute to Braff on his new "Remembering Ruby" CD, on Gen-Erik Records. His latest Arbors release, "Blue Roof Blues: A Love Letter to New Orleans," is dedicated to Jon's friends in the Crescent City and all those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Lindsay

Web Site www.kellsojazz.com