Music Department

Noah Simpson

instructor photo

Instructor
Jazz Trumpet

In the short time Noah Simpson has lived in Portland, he has established himself as one of the top trumpet players in the area. Receiving his grandfather’s cornet at the age of 6, his musical journey began, with major accomplishments throughout his younger years performing in his high school big band, his combo, and The Young Sounds Of Arizona.

In his collegiate years, Noah began establishing himself around the Phoenix area as both a leader and sideman. He was a long standing member of the Paradise Valley Community College Monday night big band, numerous Scottsdale Community College combos, as well as groups of his own. While attending SCC he had the privilege of studying with great local musicians such as Eric Rasmussen, Will Goble, and Fred Forney. After receiving the George Benson Honorary Scholarship, he attended Portland State University under the Brad Merserau scholarship while studying with George Colligan and Darrell Grant. As a recent college graduate, Noah is a fixture of the Portland Jazz community sharing his passion for Black American music throughout the west coast.

Noah has performed with renowned musicians such as Bernard Purdie, Lewis Nash, Alex Acuna, Jaleel Shaw, Sean Jones, and Dennis Rowland. In addition he has also toured around the country with groups such as Ron Artis II, Climbing Poetree, and Taina Asili.