Authentic. Dynamic. Gifted.

These are three words that describe vocalist, songwriter,

band leader, director, composer, arranger, instrumentalist, professor and trumpeter Stephen
Vaughan. Whether it is jazz, smooth jazz, r and b, avant-garde, gospel or classical, the music of
Stephen Vaughan is powerfully deliberate, thought provoking and emotionally impacting. His
dynamic sound concept, approach to instrumentation and improvisation is pure genius. His
compositions transcend all musical barriers and appeals to an extremely diverse audience in the
United States and abroad. As an artist, charismatic and compelling, Stephen Vaughan is truly a
legend in the making.
During his formative years as a high school student and young musician living in
Chicago, Stephen became the principal trumpet player in the prestigious Chicago All-City Band.
He performed numerous concerts at various venues to include the world famous Orchestra Hall
and the Daily Plaza. It wasnt long before he distinguished himself as a serious musician. Upon
graduating from high school, Stephen had four scholarship offers to various universities but,
ultimately he selected to continue his musical studies at Arizona State University, finishing at the
University of North Carolina in Greensboro. After graduating with a B.A. in classical trumpet
music, Stephen continued to gig and teach privately in North Carolina. Through his popularity
and know-how, he was able to form a trio and produce twoindependent albums, Big Daddy
and Plus One which can be heard on radio stations in North Carolina and Belize, Central
America. Those CDs revealed several substantial compositions that listeners still talk about
today. One of Stephens creations, Still Searching was premiered at the Thomas River Gala in
2011 at the University of California at Riverside to rave reviews.

While living in North Carolina as a freelance artist, Stephen performed with the
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony, Fayetteville Symphony, Durham
Symphony respectively. During this time Stephen studied with master classical trumpeters such
as Charles Schluter, Paul Randal, Ed Bach, and Dr. Mark Ponzo. His love and talent for classical
music was obvious to both his audience and his peers. However, this genre was not fully
satisfying his need for true self-expression as a developing artist. As a result of this need,
Stephen decided to continue his formal education. He was accepted and received a fellowship
into the graduate program at the University of Michigan, emphasizing in Jazz Improvisation and
Creative Conscience. While there, Stephen was afforded the opportunity to study under and
collaborate with some world-class musicians including Donald Walden, Geri Allen, Dennis
Wilson, Ed Sarah, Andrew Bishop, Ellen Rowe, Marcus Belgrave and Stephen Rush deposited
into Stephens musical life on a regular basis. This experience had a profound impact on
professional development and led to a discovery that would change his life trajectory
forever.While attending the University of Michigan, Stephen received recognition from the
National Scholars Honor Society.
Since then, Stephen has performed at numerous festivals with many well-known artists
across several genres. In the traditional jazz genre he has worked greats such as Geri Allen,
Henry Skipper Franklin, Nolan Shaeed, Brian Miller, Jim Snidero, Sandra Reeves-Philips,
Jeremy Brown, Craig Yancy, Nathaniel Scott, Jimmy Dykes, Gary Fukushima, Gaea Schell, Ron
Kobioshi, as well as Patrick Proudy, Blake White and Marcus Coleman. Avant-garde
collaborations include Steve Coleman and the Five Elements, Pauline Oliveros, Michelle Richie,
Joe Giardullo, Ed Sarah, Mark Kirshenman, Stephen Rush, Arthor Blake and Oliver Lake. In
regards to the Smooth Jazz, Pop, R&B, Latin and Gospel genres, Stephen has shared the stage

with many exceptional artists such as Eric Darius, Willie Badley, Daryl Williams, Jason Weber,
Barry J. Fredrick, Lee Koch, Tracey Carter, Buzz Campell, Jackie Bonaparte, JJ Sansaverino, Jay
Gore, Curtis Taylor, Sidney Swanson and the All Stars, Sekou Bunch, Christopher Thomas,
Ricky Lawson, Monty Steward, Rod Tankerton and the Band of Peace, Devo, Tateng Keding,
Albert Burnett, Vic Robles, Marcus Slim Shaw, Juan Nelson, Martin Murphy, Smooth
Connection, Miguel Rivera, Chase Huna, Gary Sadonis, Diego Mondragon Lavallade, Ruben V
and the Latin Sounds and The O Jays.
Stephen has recorded with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Jazz
Ensemble and the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble on Block M Records. The Inland
Empire, Moreno Valley, Riverside and the Sunset Jazz and Wine Festival at Mt. San Jacinto
College are among the festivals Stephen has performed. Stephen had to unique opportunity to
collaborate with singer/storyteller Dr. Karen Wilson. As musical director, composer, performer
and arranger, he worked to create jazz/story telling shows Songs and Stories for a winter
Evening, Good Hair: I Got My History All Over My Head and Christmas in Breaking: A
Harlem Christmas Story.
Today, Stephen continues his journey as a lecturer at Mount San Jacinto Community
College in Menifee, California where he teaches various music courses and directs instrumental
ensembles.

He continues to work as a freelance musician, composing, performing and

collaborating with artists that represent various genres of music. Additionally, Stephen has
composed more than fifty original songs of his own that he performs regularly throughout
Southern California.