Jeremy Pelt: Jazz, Leadership, and Legacy

When someone says jazz is dead, Jeremy Pelt is one of the artists I think of first: a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, educator, and author whose work continues to move the music forward with depth and purpose. In this episode of Strictly Jazz Sounds, Steve Braunginn speaks with Pelt about the experiences and responsibilities that shape his music, from his Los Angeles upbringing and early encounters with R&B, soul, and Miles Davis to his commitment to mentorship, leadership, and jazz as a living tradition. The conversation also turns to Pelt’s acclaimed album, Our Community Will Not Be Erased, a statement of resilience, memory, and connection rooted in music’s power to honor history and sustain community. Music was graciously provided by HighNote Records from Our Community Will Not Be Erased, composed and produced by Jeremy Pelt and featuring Pelt on trumpet, Orrin Evans on piano, Buster Williams on bass, Lenny White on drums, and special guest Lasse Corson on keyboards. 00:03:41 - “Fathers and Sons” (5:19) featuring Lasse Corson, 00:33:12 - “The March into Resilience,” (8:00) 01:19:30 - “Fathers and Daughters,” (5:09). Thank you for listening. Photo by Eva Kapanadze