Jon Faddis is a celebrated American jazz trumpeter, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for his exceptional range and blistering velocity on the trumpet. Born on July 24, 1953, in Oakland, California, Faddis began playing the trumpet at the age of eight, inspired by an extensive lineage of jazz greats, particularly Dizzy Gillespie, who would become a pivotal mentor and influence in his life. By his mid-teens, Faddis was already making waves in the jazz world, and his prodigious talent led him to join Lionel Hampton's band while he was still a teenager.

Faddis's virtuosity and technical prowess are matched by his musical sensitivity and commitment to the jazz tradition. Over the years, he has worked with a plethora of jazz icons including Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, and Mel Lewis. Faddis’s discography showcases his versatility and artistic depth, featuring albums like "Teranga," which offers a blend of African rhythms and jazz harmonies, and "Remembrances," which highlights his lyrical trumpet work. His collaborative projects, such as "Oscar Peterson & Jon Faddis," display his ability to engage in dynamic interplay with other jazz legends. A respected educator, Faddis has passed on his knowledge to successive generations of musicians, serving as a mentor and teacher. His influence extends beyond performance as he continues to shape the sound and direction of jazz through both his playing and his dedicated instruction.