Conrad Jones’s Trumpet Concerto with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra is “flawless”

Twenty-four-year-old Cleveland Institute of Music alumnus and principal trumpet of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Conrad Jones (BM'11, Michael Miller), performed George Tsontakis’s trumpet concerto “True Colors” in February to tremendous acclaim.

Jones joined the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (TSO) just last season, making this his first concerto in his new role. The piece, “True Colors,” made its premiere in 2012 and Jones’s performance at TSO's February Classics Concert was one among only a few total.

Of the performance, Green Valley News said, “the stated purpose of ‘True Colors’ is to explore the colors of the trumpet as well as the true colors of the composer. Jones handled his part brilliantly, not only with his incredible embrasure but also a series of mutes and homemade devices to display the audio range of the instrument.

His performance was flawless and amply demonstrated his interest in and conquest of the various venues in which the trumpet is typically heard — classic hall, jazz club, blues room. It was all stunning and outstanding….The pièce de résistance was Jones’ encore, offered unaccompanied and darkly muted — a jazzy, uniquely improvised Rodgers and Hart favorite, ‘My Funny Valentine.’ Needless to say, the audience loved it.”

Read more on how Jones prepared for the concert in an interview with tucson.com.