Biography
John Lake is an acclaimed trumpet player and composer based in the vibrant musical scene of New York City. With a career marked by versatility and virtuosity, John is recognized as an in-demand lead trumpet player, jazz soloist, and recording artist.
His musical journey has taken him across the United States and abroad, performing at leading venues and collegiate jazz programs. John’s acoustic jazz septet released their highly anticipated album "ensemble | in situ" (Bandstand Presents) in early 2024. This album captures the essence of their dynamic live performances, recorded in the heart of Brooklyn, New York.
John's debut quintet album, "Seven Angels," released in 2020 (Outside In Music), and quickly garnered widespread critical acclaim. Featuring a blend of contemporary originals and modern arrangements of jazz classics, the album showcases John's palette of diverse musical influences. All About Jazz hailed it as "compelling," while Jazz Weekly described it as “red meat for hard boppers.”
In addition to his solo work, John has made significant contributions to large ensembles, as both a lead trumpet player and featured soloist, including the Danny Jonokuchi Big Band, Charlie Rosen’s Grammy Award-Winning 8-Bit Big Band, Jihye Lee Jazz Orchestra, Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly Of Shadows (Grammy-nominated), and the Steven Feifke Big Band, among many others.
John's versatility extends to the worlds of popular music and musical theater, where he has performed and recorded with icons such as Lauryn Hill & Fugees, Louis Cato, Mr. Carmack, Yu Sakai, Mary J. Blige, Mac Miller, Josh Groban, and Kristin Chenoweth. His trumpet can be heard on the theme song for the NBA On ESPN, as well as national advertising campaigns for Nieman Marcus, Heineken, Panera Bread, and more.
In the world of Broadway musicals, John has performed in the orchestras of Tony-winning shows such as Merrily We Roll Along, Some Like It Hot, MJ The Musical, and Mean Girls. John currently plays lead trumpet with the Eyal Vilner Big Band on the Joyce Theater's touring lindy-hop show, “SWING OUT!”
John holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Committed to sharing his knowledge and passion for music, John is actively involved in teaching clinics at high schools and colleges across the globe. John continues his scholarly pursuits by writing for print publications such as DownBeat Magazine, JazzEd Online, and JazzTimes Online.
John Lake proudly endorses and performs exclusively on XO Brass trumpets and flugelhorns, and records with Barkley Microphones.
