The trumpet has been used since the dawn of civilisation to proclaim victory, pride, and joy, when some hunter cut the horn off a beast they’d slain and blew through it. “I love creating sounds that are vocal and expressive. My goal is to create powerful contexts, which inspire listeners to take an emotional adventure.” Stephen Burns has been soloist with orchestras on five continents and given recitals, masterclasses, and multimedia performances incorporating dance, video, art, and electronics. He has performed at the White House, NBC’s Today Show, and NPR’s All Things Considered. Recently he has been guest artist at the Aspen Music Festival and the Chicago Symphony’s MusicNOW. He is the founder and artistic director of the Fulcrum Point New Music Project in Chicago championing the music of Schuller, Stockhausen, Turnage, JacobTV, and Zappa.

He has recorded on Delos, Dorian, ASV, MHS, Kleos, and Naxos labels. Passionate about golf and tennis, he practices Tibetan Buddhist meditation, contemplation, and the enjoyment of fine food and wine. Stephen Burns is a Yamaha performing artist.