Dr. David Spencer is among the few musicians that have made Carnegie Hall appearances as both a classical and jazz artist. He has served as principal trumpet with numerous orchestras worldwide and supported the sections of countless others. His most recent project took him to Brazil for two years to found and direct a unique music academy at the Escola Americana. His energy and passion for the education of young people is only equalled to his passion for musical excellence.

He is a founding member and principal trumpet of The Memphis Brass Quintet and tours frequently as soloist and guest artist throughout the world, most recently premiering the Rhapsody in Blue for Trumpet and Orchestra with the Jiangsu Philharmonic in China, the Dallas Wind Symphony and at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. He was recently featured as soloist at the Carlos Gomes festival in Brazil performing with the Campinas Symphony. In 2010, he performed the premiere Christian Lindberg’s powerful concerto for trumpet, Akbank Bunka with wind ensemble at the CBDNA Southern Convention. Dr. Spencer has earned degrees from The Florida State University and the University of North Texas

Much in demand as a soloist and conductor, he has been presented in concerts and masterclasses throughout Europe, the Near East, Britain, South America and Asia. He has served on the faculty of the Tennessee Governors School for the Arts, appears at college and university festivals throughout the U.S. and is currently associate professor of trumpet at The University of Memphis School of Music. As a jazz artist, he has performed with jazz greats Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker, James Moody and Marvin Stamm among others and is a former member of the internationally acclaimed North Texas One O’clock lab band.

His recorded work has been lauded by critics and audiences around the world and is released on the New World, Summit, Pro Organo, Jigu and Meari labels.  Spencer is a four-time nominee of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Premier Player Award and is a member of the academy’s Board of Governors.

This year, David Spencer will partner with twenty of his closest colleagues to form the G-20 Commission...a group dedicated to advancing and supporting great new compositions for trumpet in the 21st century and beyond.