Jumaane Smith
Roosevelt High School (’99)
Trumpet, vocalist, composer
Come On Home. Album released on Zinn Music record label; cover art by Sandrine Lee • 2024.
When You’re Smiling. Album • 2020.
Only Have Eyes for You. Album • 2014.
When Jumaane Smith looks back on his high school years at Roosevelt High School, one thing stands clear, music saved his life. The 1999 graduate, now an accomplished trumpet player, vocalist, composer, and arranger, found refuge in jazz during troubled times.
Bad stuff was going on at home, abuse and everything. Things were tough. Music saved my life. —Jumaane Smith
That early passion would launch him into an extraordinary career. Mr. Smith’s talent has earned him performances on five GRAMMY Award-winning records that have sold more than 60 million copies collectively. His work has been featured in two Emmy Award-nominated TV performances, and he’s shared stages with legends like Stevie Wonder. His trumpet artistry even caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who cast him as a trumpet solo actor in “West Side Story.” From The White House to the Today Show, Tonight Show, Oprah, Good Morning America, and American Idol, Smith’s music has reached audiences across the globe.
Legacy lifts him up
It was during his high school years that Mr. Smith fell in love with jazz and the art of improvisation. The school’s music program, with its legacy of sending students to top music schools, provided more than just musical education—it offered community, mentorship, and a glimpse into future possibilities. Listen to a tune Roosevelt Jazz recorded in 1998 when Mr. Smith was a trumpet player in the program.
1998 Roosevelt Jazz recording of Black and Tan Fantasy
That future would lead Mr. Smith to some of the world’s biggest stages, including a memorable performance at Dublin’s Croke Park in 2018, where Michael Bublé invited him to sing before 70,000 people.
School music lessons lay foundation
As Bublé’s first trumpet player, Mr. Smith completed 180 shows on the world tour, but his journey to that stage began in Seattle’s school music programs. Starting piano at age 3 or 4 and picking up the trumpet in fifth grade, Mr. Smith’s early musical foundation was comprehensive. By high school, he was immersed in jazz, spending his free time studying the music literature and attending festivals. The camaraderie with fellow musicians and mentorship from older students created bonds that would last a lifetime.
His talent caught the attention of the New School in New York, where he earned a scholarship. But it was at Juilliard’s newly launched jazz program where Mr. Smith faced his greatest challenge—and growth. “I thought I was the man,” he laughed. “Then I moved to Juilliard and worked with Wynton [Marsalis] and got my butt kicked every day. I started to realize that I wasn’t really above the level that I thought I was. It was a little bit of humble pie.”
That humility came with important lessons. Under Marsalis’s guidance, Mr. Smith learned the importance of knowing a song’s lyrics to inform his trumpet playing, as the instrument can mirror the emotional tone of the human voice. This insight would later influence his career as he developed his vocal skills, which now comprise “half of what I do.”
Job he loves
Today, with three studio albums to his name, Mr. Smith balances life as both a solo artist and sideman. He finds beauty in immersing himself in his craft, whether performing or composing. When he’s on stage, he strives to stay present: “I do my best to remain in that one moment—not think about the future, not think about the past.”
As a father of four children, aged 8 to 14, Mr. Smith observes how the discipline required in mastering music can counter today’s culture of instant gratification. “It’s harder to see the value of learning a craft so skillfully and diligently,” he said.
His advice to aspiring musicians? “Go for it. Don’t be lazy. Put in the work and you will have a great career in music. Follow your dreams or someone will pay you to follow theirs.” He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and learning from previous generations: “Having someone to show you the ropes and what the possibilities are, what to look for, what’s good and bad. If you don’t have one, it’s worth seeking one out.”
Looking back at his Roosevelt High School days, Mr. Smith expresses gratitude for the school’s commitment to jazz education and the support of music boosters. That foundation helped launch a career that has taken him from school bands to world tours, proving that with talent, dedication, and the right support, music can indeed change lives.