Gerard Presencer

The story behind the sound

Over the past 25 years Gerard Presencer has carved out a formidable reputation as one of the most respected trumpeters on the European scene. Originally from Watford, Gerard took up trumpet and became an active member of the London jazz scene from his early teens onwards. His first major recording was at aged 18, duetting with legendary jazz pianist Stan Tracey at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for Blue Note Records. Around this same time Gerard was asked to be the soloist on a recording on another Blue Note track for the band US3. The track ‘Cantaloop Flip Fantasia’ became a worldwide hit, selling millions with his trumpet soloing front and centre. Gerard has collaborated with Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones for over 25 years, most recently writing and producing Charlie’s final big band album for Impulse Records. Gerard has also performed and recorded with a vast array of jazz musicians, including Chick Corea, John Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Norma Winstone and Mark Turner. As a studio musician, he has played and soloed for artists including Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, Pet Shop Boys, Sting, Tina Turner, Robbie Williams, Zero 7 and Paul Weller, and collaborated on a film score with Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.  A four-time winner of the trumpet category at the British Jazz Awards, Gerard has released four solo albums, including his recording with the Danish radio big band Groove Travels. In recent years, Gerard has started to explore new improvisational horizons for his playing within a classical setting, where he plays as part of chamber group the Suoni Ensemble led by the composer and artistic director Siobhan Lamb. To date, the ensemble have released four albums for the Naxos label.