RICARDO JIMÉNEZ
VOCALIST ● TRUMPET PLAYER ● EDUCATOR
ABOUT
Ricardo Jiménez is an internationally recognized trumpet player, vocalist, and educator based in Chicago. A Watson Fellow and global artist, he has performed and taught on five continents, including work in Austria, India, Senegal, and Brazil. Known for blending storytelling with genre-defying artistry, Ricardo has appeared in acclaimed productions such as Blues in the Night and Pearls: Rollin’ with the Blues, and collaborated with artists from Bollywood to jazz legends.
As a teacher, Ricardo is dedicated to empowering students through music, creativity, and cultural awareness. Take a lesson with Ricardo and join his community of students here.
A graduate of Lawrence University with degrees in Trumpet Performance and Biology, Ricardo began playing trumpet at nine years old and discovered his singing voice in college—a turning point that launched him into an international career spanning eight countries and countless collaborations.
MUSIC
As a Thomas J. Watson Fellow, Ricardo spent a transformative year traveling solo through Austria, Germany, Spain, India, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Brazil, and Japan. Along the way, he studied Carnatic music in South India, recorded with Coke Studio Tamil, played with Senegal’s legendary Orchestra Baobab, co-founded an ethnomusicology nonprofit, and immersed himself in Brazil’s choro and samba traditions.
Ricardo was honored to play trumpet on Season 1 of Coke Studio Tamil, an Indian music series of live studio recordings showcasing a fusion of traditional Tamil folk music with contemporary genres like hip-hop, rock, and pop. Produced by Coca-Cola India through Coke Studios, the series is celebration of Tamil language, music, and heritage.
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