For bandleaders & contractors
Trumpet player for hire in the San Francisco Bay Area
A first-call trumpet player for your band, horn section, show, or session, or a complete horn section contracted and run for you.
At a glance
- Niel Levonius is a first-call freelance trumpet player in the San Francisco Bay Area, playing trumpet since age 11.
- Hired by bandleaders, contractors, and productions to play in bands and horn sections, or to put together a complete horn section.
- Has performed or recorded with the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, the GRAMMY-winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Kurt Elling, Emmet Cohen, Seal, and Sheila E.
- Toured Europe with Louie Bellson, Jon Faddis, and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Montreux, North Sea, Umbria, and Vienne jazz festivals).
- Voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs). Leads the Local Edition Jazz Orchestra every Tuesday in San Francisco.
Freelance trumpet
A first-call trumpet for your band or production
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Niel has played trumpet since age 11 and is a first-call freelance player on the regional scene.
Bandleaders and productions hire him to play trumpet in their bands and horn sections, or to put together and run a complete horn section. He has toured Europe with Louie Bellson, Jon Faddis, and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, appearing at the Montreux, North Sea, Umbria, and Vienne jazz festivals.
Every Tuesday he leads the Local Edition Jazz Orchestra in downtown San Francisco, and he is musical director of the LMR Jazz Orchestra. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy.
Hire Niel for
- Trumpet chair: big band, small group, Latin, soul and R&B, and show work
- Horn sections: a contracted section for your band or production
- Contracting: musicians for events of every size
- Sound: he can also run sound for the gig
Credits
Artists Niel has performed or recorded with
- Pete Escovedo Orchestra
- Pacific Mambo Orchestra
- The Temptations
- The Four Tops
- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- Kurt Elling
- Emmet Cohen
- Seal
- Sheila E.
- Gladys Knight
- Dave Brubeck
- Arturo Sandoval
- Jon Faddis
- Tom Scott
- Dee Dee Bridgewater
- Louie Bellson
- Tierney Sutton
- Jane Monheit
- Patti Austin
- Gordon Goodwin
- Wycliffe Gordon
- Bobby Hutcherson
- Michael Feinstein
- Johnny Mathis
- Patti LaBelle
- Martha & the Vandellas
- B.B. King
- Huey Lewis
- Steve Miller
- Santa Rosa Symphony
- and many more
Hear Niel's band
Niel on trumpet with the Local Edition Jazz Orchestra
Benny Carter's “The Swizzle,” recorded live at Local Edition in San Francisco. Niel plays trumpet and was the audio engineer.
The Swizzle
Benny Carter's “The Swizzle,” arranged by Greg Johnson, recorded live at Local Edition in San Francisco on January 20, 2026. Niel plays trumpet and was the audio engineer.
Can I hire Niel to play trumpet in my band or sub on a gig?
Yes. Bandleaders and contractors hire Niel to play trumpet in their bands and horn sections. Send the date, location, and the book or style, and he will confirm availability.
Can you put together a full horn section?
Yes. As an event music contractor, Niel can contract and run a complete horn section for your band, show, or production.
What styles do you play?
Jazz from traditional swing and big band to modern jazz, plus Latin jazz and the soul, R&B, and pop shows reflected in his credits with the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, The Temptations, and The Four Tops.
Where are you based?
The San Francisco Bay Area. Niel works across the whole Bay Area, including Marin, Napa, and Sonoma.
Need a trumpet or a horn section?
Send the date, location, and what the gig calls for.
Check availability