Elan Trotman

Saxophonist

Elan grew up in Barbados listening to calypso, reggae, local and other music. His first instrument was the piano, which he began playing when he was 7, his musical curiosity led him to the Sax at age 12. While in high school, he had the good luck to be mentored by Berklee schooled saxophonist Arturo Tappin. While in high school, Elan "led his own band, worked with a couple of gospel groups and eventually organized a combo, 'Inspiration'," which successfully found "work at local shows and festivals." He discovered the music of "Grover Washington Jr. and other contemporary jazz musicians who performed at the prestigious Barbados Jazz Festival," and his interest in jazz became a focal point for evolving his own style. His musical virtuosity contributed to him receiving a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston from the Barbados government. Elan is committed to educating the young, and has served as a teacher in the Boston public school system for a number of years. Elan has released five CD's. "Memories: The Debut" (2001), "Let's Have a Good Time" (2005), "A Reggae Christmas" (2007) and his latest, "Love and Sax" (2010) and the single "As" with trumpeter Lin Roundtree (2011). He has "recorded and performed with Roberta Flack, Kirk Whalum, Brian McKnight, Johnny Gill, Tony Terry, Nathan East, Najee, Walter Beasley, Don Grusin" and many other well known musicians.