Mike Lovatt (Principal Trumpet - John Wilson Orchestra // Session Artist)

Mike Lovett is a UK virtuoso trumpeter, recording artist, sought after teacher and musical director who is internationally recognised for his wide ranging stylistic ability. He is Principal Trumpet of the Grammy nominated John Wilson Orchestra, the BBC Big Band, Superbrass, Andrew Cottee's Dreamtown Orchestra and is featured as soloist on many film scores including most recently Marvel Studio's 'Avengers: Endgame' and the Judy Garland biopic 'Judy'.

Mike is Professor of Trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music and was proud to be awarded the prestigious position of the Derek Watkins' Chair of Trumpet, which he has held since 2013. He is also Professor at the Royal College of Music, Associate Artist at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and visiting Professor at the Royal Welsh and the Birmingham Conservatoires. Reaching out to young players through masterclasses and directing brass projects forms an essential part of Mike's working life.

Influenced by the great Kenny Baker and Uan Rasey amongst others, Mike's career encompasses many musical styles. He was awarded the Jon Kelly Jazz Scholarship whilst studying and in his early career established himself as a Principal Trumpet in London's West End performing in countless shows. Most recently, he played Lead Trumpet in the celebrated production of 42nd Street which was filmed for global streaming and British cinemas.

In 2019, Mike was privileged to perform West Side Story at the Edinburgh International Festival under Sir John Elliot. Mike regularly works with the multi-talented Seth MacFarlane in the recording studio and in concert with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, DC), and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Most memorably, Mike worked alongside the late Jessye Norman performing the Sacred Music of Duke Ellington along with colleagues Mark Markham, Ron Carter and Grady Tate. Mike also appeared as part of a duo with Ms. Norman at the Tate gallery in London, and toured with her extensively to Carnegie Hall, throughout Europe and the Montreux Jazz Festival where the legend Quincy Jones commented "great chops, Mike."

In 2018, Mike recorded his first solo album with the 2018 British champions, Foden's Band. In 2019, the album entitled '56 Degrees North' was awarded the British Bandsmen Solo CD of the Year.

Mike has appeared with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra Brass Ensemble, the Espoo Big Band (Helsinki) and the London Symphony Orchestra with Eddie Daniels. As a Musical Director, his recent work includes the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra's brass section recording of Bill May's Big Fat Brass.

Mike's recording career include the James Bond films Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with the London Symphony Orchestra, the award winning Chicago, Beyond The Sea, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar, and The Corpse Bride.

He is featured on trumpet and cornet in George Fenton's Mrs Henderson Presents, and on trumpet in 'Looking for Eric'. TV work includes Carl Davis' score for the TV drama series 'Upstairs Downstiars', and Charlie Moles's music for the hit ITV series 'Mr Selfridge'. Mike has recorded the soundtracks to the biopic 'Judy', the dance band sequences in 'Downton Abbey' and was the featured trumpet soloist for the Marvel Studios film 'Avengers: Endgame'. More recent highlights include playing lead trumpet for Patricia Ward Kelly's Gene Kelly - The Legacy show around the world, and playing Principal Trumpet with David Arnold and Michael Giacchino with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.

For more information on Mike Lovatt, visit www.mikelovatt.co.uk.