Joseph Brotherton is a staple of the DC jazz community, known for his exceptional musicianship and signature style of trumpet-playing.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, his trumpet instruction began at age nine and continued through his adolescence in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he is recognized as a prominent alumnus of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts. He went on to study with several luminaries, among them Wynton Marsalis, Ingrid Jensen, and Ron Blake.

After serving as a trumpet player in the U.S. Marine Corps Band Quantico, Joe made his home in Washington, D.C. A fixture of the capital jazz scene, he also performs up and down the East Coast and abroad with myriad artists in every imaginable genre and has shared stages with such notables as Gregory Porter, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, and Kermit Ruffins.

When not touring with various bands, you’ll find Joe at home in music rooms in Adams Morgan; the U Street Corridor, DC’s historic jazz district; and Georgia Avenue, where he has a residency at St. Vincent Wine on Monday nights.

Jazz Improv Magazine named Joe “an exciting and spectacular soloist, well-schooled in the tradition and post-bop concepts”, singling out his solos as “notable for their clarity, connectivity of ideas, clear articulation, intonation, and tasteful and measured use of his ample technique.”

Here to Hear (2024)

Featuring:
• Joe Brotherton (trumpet/flugelhorn/vox)
• Obasi Akoto (bass)
• Colin Chambers (keys)
• Tyler Leak (percussion)

And special guests:
• Elijah Jamal Balbed (tenor sax)
• Elijah Easton (tenor sax)
• Flex Mathews (rhymes)

Available on the following platforms (select an icon below to listen):

Want an LP? Send us an email!

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The Joe Brotherton Quartet Live at the Hemmingway Room (2025)

Featuring:
• Joe Brotherton (trumpet/flugelhorn/vox)
• Steve Arnold (bass)
• Colin Chambers (keys)
• Kevin Kearny (percussion)

And special guests:
• Elijah Jamal Balbed (tenor sax)
• Flex Mathews (rhymes)

Available on the following platforms (select an icon below to listen):

Joe Brotherton joins Baltimore-based gypsy jazz band Ultrafaux near the end of their set at the Creative Alliance Theater – Baltimore, December 2014.

With Brazilian artist Seu Jorge at the Blue Note – New York City, August 2018

The Joe Brotherton Quintet, featuring Seth Washington, performs live at Jojo Restaurant & Bar – Washington, D.C., July 2019.

With Dave Manley for a private event at Woodrow Wilson House – Washington, D.C., July 2020

With Colin Chambers at the Kreeger Museum – Washington, D.C., 2022