Ryan Kisor

Recognized as among the youngest members of the group known as the Young Lions, Ryan Kisor attracted notice by securing victory in the inaugural trumpet competition hosted by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz during 1990, when he reached the age of 17. Prior to that achievement, he received trumpet instruction from his father, joined a local ensemble at age ten, and began formal classical studies two years afterward. Jazz entered his awareness at fourteen, prompting rapid growth as he performed both jazz and classical material in nearby venues. Clark Terry provided key inspiration during a jazz camp in the summer of 1988. Columbia offered him a recording contract following his Monk triumph, which led to the release of two intriguing yet somewhat premature leader dates. In the years since, Ryan Kisor—whose personal voice has emerged more steadily—has worked as a freelance musician throughout New York, most notably appearing with the Mingus Big Band and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.