About

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Robert Garrison has established himself as one of the most versatile trumpeters of his generation, moving fluidly between classical, baroque, and jazz traditions. After six years freelancing in New York City, he now serves as Acting Co-Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Orchestra while continuing to perform with leading ensembles across the United States and abroad.

Garrison’s résumé includes appearances with many of the world’s foremost orchestras, among them the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, New York City Ballet, and Alabama Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. He has also performed as guest principal trumpet with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Philharmonic. In 2022, he joined the New York Philharmonic on tour to Stillwater, Oklahoma, during the orchestra’s residency at Oklahoma State University. He has also held a post as Acting 2nd Trumpet with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. 

His career has been marked by performances that have earned critical distinction. Garrison appeared in three concerts cited among the year’s “Best Classical Music Performances”: the Spoleto Festival’s premiere of Rhiannon Giddens’s opera Omar; the New York Philharmonic’s 2022 reopening of David Geffen Hall; and MusicAeterna’s U.S. tour in 2019. 

Dedicated to advancing contemporary music, Garrison has collaborated with emerging composers, including recording Katie Jenkins’s Radiate—winner of the 2021 Women Composing for Trumpet competition—and commissioning Shelbie Rassler’s …and soon you will be on its shore…, premiered in 2024 at Mississippi State University. As a composer and arranger himself, he explores the intersection of jazz and classical idioms, with works for brass quintet, large brass ensemble, and trumpet ensemble. His arrangement of Kevin McKee’s Vuelta del Fuego for seven trumpets won third prize at the 2018 National Trumpet Competition.

A graduate of the University of North Texas (B.M., 2019) and The Juilliard School (M.M., 2023) Garrison has studied under some of the most esteemed trumpet pedagogues of the era, including Christopher Martin, Raymond Mase, John Thiessen, Caleb Hudson, Ryan Anthony, and Tanya Darby. He has further honed his craft at leading festivals such as Tanglewood, Aspen, Spoleto, Brevard, and the National Orchestral Institute.

Garrison is a Yamaha Performing Artist and a Patrick Mouthpieces Artist. His social media presence—particularly his Instagram account, @robertgarrisontrumpet—has been featured by the International Trumpet Guild as a model for musicians integrating digital platforms into their practice and artistry.

With a passion for both performance and education, Garrison seeks to inspire the next generation of musicians while making music engaging and accessible for audiences of all backgrounds.