Worldwide Wednesdays Series: Trumpeter Ingrid Jensen
August 4, 2010 at 6:10 AM Jazz trumpeter Ingrid Jensen has always been fighting stereotypes. "When you look like I look -- a blond, white chick from Canada -- you're not supposed to sound the way I sound." (npr.org)
"Ingrid plays trumpet and flugelhorn with all the brilliance and fire of a true virtuoso, following the spirit of the muse as she creates… …warm,sensitive, exciting and totally honest….." Marian McPartland
Ingrid JensenBorn in Vancouver and raised in Nanaimo, Canada (also the hometown of pianist Diana Krall), Ingrid headed east after receiving a number of scholarships to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Since graduating in 1989, her life has contained a whirlwind of musical activities. From her early days of busking in the subways of New York City, to establishing herself as a leader and soloist in a wide array of musical genres, Ingrid has made her mark. Her three CDs for the ENJA label and her ArtistShare CD, At Sea, won her nominations from the Canadian Juno Awards, including an award in 1995 for her debut Vernal Fields. (IngridJensen.com)
Jensen can be heard with the GRAMMY award winning Maria Schneider Orchestra, the IJQ with Geoffrey Keezer, Project O, Nordic Connect, Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra (lead by her sister who is a composer & saxophonist) and a number of New York-based bands.
Ingrid Jensen's Discography as a Leader
Vernal Fields - 1994 - ENJA label
Here on Earth - 1997 - ENJA/Justin Time
Higher Grounds - 1999 - ENJA
Now as Then - 2003 - Justin Time
At Sea - 2005 - ArtistShare
Flurry (Nordic Connect) - 2007 - ArtistShare
Upcoming Tour Dates:
7 Aug 2010 at Newport Jazz Festival (Newport, RI) with both the MSO and Secret Society
8-13 Aug 2010 at the Brubeck Institute (Stockton, CA)
14 Aug 2010 at MusicFest Vancouver (Vancouver, BC Canada)
Trumpeter Jason Parker (@1WorkinMusician) and stained glass artist Wayne Stratz (@nutmegdesigns) asked that I highlight Ingrid Jensen and her burgeoning career. Little did they know that I had planned to do it yesterday but got distracted. 
Okay! Who has seen Ingrid perform live with either her group or with the Maria Schneider Orchestra?
Share your thoughts!! Thank you.
Reader Comments (5)
I saw her live with her group at the IAJE Conference in New York several years ago. She's a fantastic player. Very melodic and creative.
Donna!
Thanks for the shout-out and for featuring Ingrid! I've seen her many times in many different bands and always find her playing inspiring and exhilarating! She always has something to say and finds a new way to say it.
I have also taken a few lessons from her over the last few years and she has completely changed the way I approach the horn. The reason are probably to lengthy and certainly to geeky to get into here. Suffice to say that this quote is one that has stuck with me and has led me to a new way to play. After I asked her all sorts of questions about the technical aspects of trumpet playing she looked me in the eye and said "Jason, you have to find ways to distract yourself from your own neuroses." Whoa!
Hi Dave and Jason!!
Dave
You saw Ingrid J perform at an IAJE conference a while ago? I wanted to attend one of those and then *bam* they shockingly declared bankruptcy in 2008. :(
You make a point that Jason also makes in his comment - You said that she's "Very melodic and creative." Jason wrote "She always has something to say and finds a new way to say it."
Needless to say, I can't wait to see her perform live.
Jason
Wow - you've taken lessons with her! How cool is that? Whoa is right re: the advice that she shared with you.
When was the last time that she was in Seattle?
I have been blessed to see her with her group and with Maria Schneider. and last night I was listening to a Virginia Mayhew CD which features her trumpet playing skills
Hi Wayne!
See - I told you before, there aren't too many artists that you haven't seen perform live (smile).
Ingrid is performing at Newport this weekend - A Blog Supreme tweeted something about her about 1/2 an hour ago.
Did you like her as a leader as well as part of the Maria Schneider Orchestra? Is there much of a difference in the two roles for her? I wouldn't think so but you would know better from seeing her perform live.
~~~