The 9th annual Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT) will take place from October 20-23. This year the festival celebrates the work of 81-year-old trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, a Canadian native who’s resided in the UK since 1952.
Wheeler, who rarely ventures to New York City, will be on hand to perform with Ingrid Jensen + Brass and with John Hollenbeck’s Large Ensemble. He’ll also lead his own quintet, which features Jon Irabagon, Craig Taborn, Matt Brewer and Rudy Royston.
The Festival of New Trumpet Music, a nonprofit founded in 2003 by Dave Douglas and Roy Campbell, Jr. designed to encourage creative brass music, will present its Award of Recognition to Wheeler during the stand. Previous recipients include Wadada Leo Smith and Bobby Bradford.
Kenny Wheeler performed at 6th Jazz Fest Sarajevo 2002 in duet with John Taylor, and Dave Douglas performed in 2008 in trio with double bassist Scott Colley and violinist Mark Feldman. Feldman shall perform this November as member of John Abercrombie Quartet.
Watch documentary originally aired on BBC Omnibus in 1977 and rebroadcast in 2005 for Wheeler’s 75th birthday, shows the Kenny Wheeler Big Band recording for a radio broadcast.