Jon Pemberton enjoys a busy career as a leading jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer in the Twin Cities. Upon graduating with a degree in music performance in 1983, Pemberton began a teaching career that lasts to this day, landing his first job as brass instructor at Schmitt Music in Minnetonka. During these years, he also studied jazz trumpet with Twin Cities trumpet legend, Billy Shiell. Subsequently, he began a performing career which showcased his versatility in a variety of musical settings. Those early years included stints with the ska band, SKATET, as well as the exciting free jazz orchestra, IMP ORK. During this time, Pemberton was also heavily influenced by the soulful sounds of legendary trumpeter Lee Morgan. In recent years, he formed a quintet to honor his trumpet hero. Frequently heard at the Artist's Quarter, the band plays all the classics from Lee's briliant Blue Note years. 

Born into the fertile jazz environment of Philadelphia in 1938, and tragically gunned down in New York at the age of 33, Lee Morgan rose to great heights as a player, ecoming one of hard bop's most sought after, fiery and soulful trumpeters. His resume reads like a "who's who" of jazz history, and includes sideman stints with Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Art Blakey and Hank Mobley, to name a few. As a leader, Lee became a Blue Note recording star in the 1960's, releasing a series of classic LP's.

Check out this video of the Jon Pemberton Quintet from last night: