Brandon Woody

Trumpeter and composer Brandon Woody was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and started his musical journey at the age of 7. Since then, Woody has gone on to become an international artist, performing with his band Upendo, curating projects for major museums, film scoring, collaborating with brands, teaching, and performing at major venues and institutions around the globe. Woody uses music as a tool for healing, genuine connection, and celebrating community.

After attending the Baltimore School for the Arts, Woody went on to study at the Brubeck Institute and Manhattan School of Music with the likes of Ambrose Akinmusire, Cecil Bridgewater, and Stefon Harris. Woody has since performed alongside artists such as Marc Cary, Casey Benjamin, Steve Wilson, Marcus Gilmore, Tarus Mateen, Tim Green, Theljon Allen, Sean Jones, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Solange, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, Craig Alston, Terri-Lyne Carrington, Quincy Phillips, Benny Maupin, Plunky, Jon Faddis and Danilo Perez, who have all greatly influenced his artistry.

Woody formed his longtime band Upendo in 2017 while still in school as a vehicle to perform his own original compositions. A modern jazz juggernaut, Upendo is a multi-generational and expandable group that features a core quartet of pianist Troy Long, bassist Michael Saunders, and drummer Quincy Phillips.

Woody’s work has garnered the attention of international brands which has led to collaborations with Calvin Klein (One Future), Saucony, Vogue Italy, Nike, Reebok X Eames, Union Los Angeles, High Snobiety X Newport Jazz Festival, and Plain Jane. Woody had the opportunity of casting musicians and acting as a band leader in the Apple TV series Lady in the Lake.

In 2021, Woody became a Bach/Conn endorsed artist and was named the Musician to Watch by Baltimore Magazine in 2022. Woody’s other accolades include the 2021 Best Musician of the Year Award by the Baltimore Crown Awards and the 2020 Emerging Voice Award from the Festival of New Trumpet.