Bahamian Trumpeter Giveton Gelin Wins Award And Ten-City International Tour

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Source: Tony Franquiz
February 12, 2020
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Giveton Gelin, winner of the 2019 LetterOne RISING STARS Jazz Award, will perform in cities across the U.S. and Canada in 2020.

Twenty-one-year-old jazz musician Giveton Gelin will perform a ten-city international tour of North America after winning the 2020 LetterOne RISING STARS Jazz Award, including a performance at the Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City, where Gelin is currently studying at Julliard. Gelin was selected by a high-profile jury of musicians, journalists and record producers, chaired by Mikhail Fridman��an international businessman, philanthropist and jazz fan��and jazz guitarist

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson. His winnings include the ten-city tour and a full year of agency and marketing support.

��The LetterOne Jazz Award will be a major force in sharing my artistry to the world, and overall trajectory,�� said Gelin. ��I am truly grateful, honored and thankful for this opportunity.��

Gelin began teaching himself how to play the trumpet at just 10 years old by emulating his favorite records. He went on to be mentored by bassist Adrian D��Aguilar, who introduced him to the world of jazz. The native Bahamian has studied with Dr.

Eddie Henderson

trumpet
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Henderson at the Oberlin Conservatory and in that same year he received recognition at the Young Arts Foundation and Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program. Gelin has played with pioneers of the NY jazz scene such as

Curtis Lundy

bass
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Lundy,

Harold Mabern

piano
1936 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Harold Mabern,

Winard Harper

drums
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Winard Harper,

Sullivan Fortner

piano
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Sullivan Fortner,

Ben Wolfe

bass
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Wolfe and

Jon Batiste

piano
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Batiste, and received tutelage from some of the world��s greatest trumpeters, including

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis,

Nicholas Payton

trumpet
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicholas Payton,

Ralph Peterson

drums
1962 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Peterson, and the late

Roy Hargrove

trumpet
1969 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy Hargrove. He is currently studying at the Juilliard School and is expected to graduate in 2021.

In addition to Fridman, the jury that selected Gelin included jazz guitarist George Benson and also featured participation by record producer Brian Bacchus and journalist Michelle Mercer. Gelin was recognized at a ceremony in London on January 22, 2020, hosted by British pianist Jools Holland, and was presented the 2020 LetterOne RISING STARS award by

China Moses

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">China Moses, another North American jazz talent who got her start young.

��Gelin��s tone, phrasing and general way of playing remind us of many greats before him,�� said the jury. ��This, combined with his determination to make it from the fringes of jazz into the very heart of jazz in New York, convinced us that he will have a bright future ahead.��

From July to September 2019, artists were able to enter their submissions to the LetterOne RISING STARS Jazz Award. The jury then chose the top 25 contenders, from which Gelin was selected as the winner. In addition to the Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City, he will also perform at the D.C. Jazz Festival, the Seattle Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival. The tour is produced by Air Artist Agency, which previously ran the RISING STARS concert series, which��among others��introduced artists such as