Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Trumpeter JJ Kirkpatrick began his diverse musical career at the age of 9 when he scored the opening sequence to a 10-minute film he co-directed with his brother.  JJ began playing trumpet that same year, studying with Portland legend Thara Memory.  

Now based in Los Angeles, JJ has had the opportunity to enjoy a diverse freelance career as a jazz musician, composer, and educator.  For 10 years he worked as a sideman as well as a band leader at venues and festivals around the world, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic, Greek Theatre, Dolby Theater, Capitol Records, Kuumbwa, San Jose Jazz Fest, Monterey Jazz Fest, Rose Garden Arena, Dizzy’s, Jimmy Mak’s, Eclave De Agua (Spain), ParkLive (Russia), Hollywood Improv, Red Bull Studios, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.  

In addition to touring extensively with the Alternative band AJR, JJ’s career has yielded him opportunities to perform with Wynton Marsalis, Yosvanny Terry, Tootie Heath, Josh Groban, Brasstracks, Big Gigantic,  Craig Robinson,  Louis CK and many others. In 2015, JJ was featured in a music video with Kendrick Lamar. He has also had roles in feature films and TV shows including the Oscar winning film 'Whiplash', ‘Dolomite Is My Name’, ‘Future Man’, and ‘The Middle’.   JJ can also be seen on screen playing for the 11th season of America’s Got Talent on NBC.  

As a member of the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, JJ has been able to hone his teaching skills and share his love of jazz with thousands of middle and high school students for the last 6 years.  He has taught in the schools on behalf of Jazz For Young People (Jazz at Lincoln Center), as well as teaching positions at Oakwood Academy (LA), and LEAP (NYC). 

JJ is currently self-producing a debut solo project that will feature his original music with an expected release date of Summer 2020.