Alphonso Horne is a renowned jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born on December 23, 1988, in Jacksonville, Florida, Horne grew up in a musical family and was exposed to jazz at an early age. His father, a saxophonist, and his mother, a singer, were both active in the local music scene, and Horne began playing the trumpet when he was just six years old. Horne's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly became a sought-after performer in his hometown. He attended the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where he honed his skills and developed a deep appreciation for the history and tradition of jazz. After graduating, he went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. During his time at Juilliard, Horne had the opportunity to study with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron, and Ron Carter. He also began to establish himself as a performer, playing with a variety of ensembles and earning critical acclaim for his virtuosic trumpet playing and innovative compositions. After graduating from Juilliard, Horne continued to build his career as a performer and bandleader. He formed his own group, the Alphonso Horne Quintet, which quickly gained a reputation for its dynamic performances and fresh approach to jazz. The group released its debut album, "Wonderful!," in 2014, which was met with widespread critical acclaim and helped to establish Horne as a rising star in the jazz world. In addition to his work with his own group, Horne has also collaborated with a wide range of other musicians and ensembles. He has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, among others, and has shared the stage with such luminaries as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Wayne Shorter. Horne's talent and hard work have been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2014, he was named a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition, one of the most prestigious jazz competitions in the world. He has also been awarded the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and the DownBeat Student Music Award for Best Jazz Soloist. Despite his many accomplishments, Horne remains committed to pushing the boundaries of jazz and exploring new avenues of expression. He is known for his innovative approach to composition and improvisation, which draws on a wide range of musical influences and styles. He is also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians, and has taught at the Juilliard School, the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and the Stanford Jazz Workshop. In recent years, Horne has expanded his musical horizons beyond jazz, collaborating with classical musicians and exploring the intersections between jazz and other genres. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, among others, and has been praised for his ability to bring a fresh perspective to classical music. Horne's most recent project, "Unsung Heroes," is a tribute to the unsung heroes of jazz, including musicians, composers, and arrangers who have been overlooked or forgotten by history.

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