Jon Stokes

Jon has firmly established himself as one of the UK’s top trombone players. He has performed with Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, and Seth MacFarlane to name just a few. He is a member of the groundbreaking 'Heritage Orchestra', who recently appeared at London’s Royal Albert Hall with Brit Award winner RAYE, and three-time Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa. Jon also enjoys being part of Pete Tong’s ‘Essential Orchestra’ conducted by Jules Buckley and regularly appears with John Wilson and the ‘Sinfonia of London’ as well as the world-class brass group, ‘London Brass’.

Alongside these many commitments, Jon is a regular on film and TV sessions, including soundtracks for ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wonka’. He is also prolific in London’s West End, having performed in shows such as ‘Gypsy’, ‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘Dreamgirls’.

Jon is hugely inspired by the traditional jazz of New Orleans and is proud to be part of ‘The Alvar Treefrogs’ who are dedicated to preserving the style in the UK. He can also be found playing in a variety of New Orleans style brass bands, including his own groups ‘Bad Ass Brass’ and ‘The Big Shake-Up’. From an early age, Jon was fascinated by the great big bands, and he has gone on to be a member of the ‘Syd Lawrence Orchestra’ as well as performing with many other bands, including ‘Jamie Cullum’, ‘Callum Au’s Big Band’ and the ‘BBC Big Band’. He is currently a member of the ‘Len Phillips Swing Orchestra’ and is proud to be Musical Director of ‘Albert’s Big Band’, the Royal Albert Hall’s own dance orchestra.

Brass Bands and chamber music have always been important to Jon, and he was a founding member of London’s premier brass band ‘Zone One Brass’. He is also a member of the brass ensemble ‘Q6’, which endeavours to perform music written specifically for and by the group's members.

Despite a busy performance schedule, Jon still finds time to dedicate himself to education, giving lessons, masterclasses and workshops all over the UK, including the Royal College of Music.

Jon was born in Cheltenham where he was taught by the inspirational Mike Sallis and performed in many local brass bands, big bands and orchestras. He moved to London in 2001 to study with Mike Hext and Richard Edwards at the Royal College of Music before accepting an Archers Scholarship to study at Trinity College of Music with Bobby Lamb. Jon also enjoyed a position with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Bill Ashton.