Rockwell Valentine is a multifaceted trumpet player in the middle of the musical vanguard of New York City, Philadelphia, and Connecticut. Valentine spearheads a myriad of projects that encapsulate his genre-bending and collaborative sound. Devoted to upholding and honoring the Black-American musical tradition, Valentine’s projects are enlightened by the works of: Ella Fitzgerald; Jimi Hendrix; Nina Simone; Beyoncé; Charlie Parker; Bobby Mcferrin; and J.S. Bach. Valentine possesses a deep love for the music he creates and wishes to contribute his futurism, history, joy, pulse, and honesty with the world.

Born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Woodstock, Connecticut, Valentine was immersed in an artistic family and made the trumpet his muse at age 11. In high school, Valentine was honored to be accepted into the Jazz at Lincoln Center Summer Jazz Institute of 2019 and the National Association for Music Education All-National Jazz Band of 2020. Valentine continued his musical education at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music; during which time he studied with contemporary musical masters.