This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/16/2023 08:11 AMPress Release, Branford Jazz Series
Sax-man Elan Trotman has quickly become one of the fastest rising stars in jazz with over 15 Billboard topping radio singles and continues to stand out and push boundaries as a composer, performer, teacher, and recording artist.
He makes his return to Branford and the 2023 Branford Jazz concert Series on Thursday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Trotman’s playing, though inspired by Grover Washington, Jr., Kirk Whalum, and Najee, displays his own fresh ideas and distinctive tone, so much so that both the New England Urban Music Awards and The Barbados Music Awards have named him Jazz Artist of the Year on multiple occasions. Trotman’s latest release, ‘Dear Marvin,“ pays tribute to Motown legend Marvin Gaye.
Born and raised in Barbados and educated at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Trotman’s signature sounds bring a blend of smooth and tropical grooves to major festivals and cruises worldwide. In addition to a successful solo career, Trotman has also worked as a side-man with some of the biggest artists in the business, including Roberta Flack, Jeffrey Osborne, Johnny Gill, Peabo Bryson, Michael McDonald, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E, and Earl Klugh. Elan has also performed the U.S. National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and the Brooklyn Nets.
In 2014, Elan founded the Annual Barbados Jazz Excursion & Golf Weekend, which directly supports his Never Lose Your Drive Foundation in Barbados, a non-profit which directly funds the Headstart Music Program. The program provides free weekly instrument instruction to students ages 7 to 11 on saxophone, trumpet, flute, clarinet, and percussion.
Blending Caribbean rhythms from his own roots with skillful horn textures, Trotman’s playing is full of surprises. In 2021, he returned to Berklee College of Music as an associate professor in the Ensemble Department.
Trotman also holds movie credits including the 2017 film, “Detroit” by Kathryn Bigelow, and the 2022 Whitney Houston biopic, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”.