Brandon Woody’s UPENDO

“Staggeringly self-assured… radiating warmth, purpose, and a sense of place.” – The Washington Post

Baltimore-born Bach Brass-endorsed trumpeter and composer Brandon Woody is one of the most compelling young voices in jazz. A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, Woody has spent the past decade cultivating a sound rooted in spiritual jazz and Black American improvisational traditions. His ensemble, Upendo, reflects his commitment to collective uplift and deep listening. Hailed by The New York Times and Los Angeles Times as a rising force in contemporary jazz, Woody signed with the legendary Blue Note Records in November 2024 and released his debut album, For The Love Of It All, in May 2025. He has collaborated with artists such as Terri Lyne Carrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Danilo Pérez, Casey Benjamin, Marcus Gilmore, the Robert Glasper Black Radio Orchestra, Paul Russell, Derrick Hodge, Marc Cary, and Solange Knowles.