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 of 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 Orchestra. 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.
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 (BM, 2019) and The Juilliard School (MM, 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.