Biography

José Sibaja is one of the most highly acclaimed Costa Rican trumpet players of his generation with worldwide audiences and broadcast media in the classical, Latin, jazz, and pop musical genres. His career ranges from international appearances as an orchestral soloist with Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica Venezuela, and Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica to worldwide tours with Ricky Martin for the Vuelve and Living la Vida Loca tours. Currently, José plays lead trumpet with the world-renowned Boston Brass.

José received his musical training at the New World School of the Arts and the University of Miami. His vast musical repertoire and his masterful artistry make him a prominent figure in a new generation of musicians. He has held positions as principal trumpet with the Miami Symphony, Sinfonieta de Caracas, and Orquesta Sinfonica Venezuela, as well as a position with the Dallas Brass.

José’s talents are not limited to live audience performances, with televised performances on the American Music Awards, MTV Awards, Grammy Awards, and the Latin Grammy Awards shows as well as appearances on Conan O’Brian, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and numerous television appearances in more than 40 countries.

Having recorded with such artists as Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Luis Enrique, Rey Ruiz, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz, and Gloria Estefan, among others, José Sibaja redefines the idea of a concert artist with a rich mix of stylistic genres surpassing the very stereotype of today’s classical musician. Most currently, Sibaja can be heard with the Boston Brass on their Rewired, Reminiscing, and Simple Gifts CDs, as well as his solo records, Inner Voice and Spanish Air.

Sibaja currently serves as a performing artist for the Yamaha Music Corporation, giving concerts, clinics, and master classes worldwide. Proclaimed internationally as “a major young talent, the next Wynton Marsalis,” José played his solo debut at age 17 with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and only five years of trumpet and music training.

José is Associate Professor of Trumpet for the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.