The sound of Rodney's trumpet has reverberated throughout the world. Whether playing baroque piccolo trumpet or interpreting works commissioned especially for him, his artistry has been enthusiastically enjoyed inside the United States and in such countries as France, Spain, Germany, England, Greece, Romania, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. Music critics have praised him from Fanfare Magazine, American Record Guide, Records International Catalog, and other international publications for his evocative interpretation, impeccable virtuosity, and beauty of sound.

A Curtis Institute of Music graduate, Rodney Marsalis has worked under the guidance of world-renowned conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz, James DePreist, John Williams, Jesus Lopez- Cobos and Christopher Hogwood. He was awarded a fellowship at the Tanglewood Music Center, where he was invited to return for a second summer, during which he was awarded the Seiji Ozawa Award for Outstanding Musicianship.

Mr. Marsalis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he began his musical studies at the age of six. When he was eleven years of age, he began taking classical trumpet lessons with his cousin, Wynton Marsalis. Referred to as a "trumpet prodigy," his solo debut was at the age of fifteen with the New Orleans Symphony. After winning various solo competitions, he received national attention at nineteen, performing as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra. He has also performed as a soloist with the San Diego Symphony, the Tenerife Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and many orchestras throughout the United States and Europe.

Mr. Marsalis has made several world premiere recordings, including "Sonata for Trumpet and Piano" (Albany Records) by Adolphus Hailstork and "In Our Own House"(Albany Records) by composer Alvin Singleton with saxophonist Branford Marsalis.