Brent White is a trombonist, educator, and cultural advocate whose bold, expressive sound has taken him from Philadelphia’s historic jazz clubs to stages around the world. A lifelong Philadelphian, he understands the city’s vibrant cultural scene—its leaders, history, musicians, connectors, and politics. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Widener University, a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts, and a certificate in Non-Profit Management from LaSalle University. He is currently pursuing an EdD at Drexel University, focusing on jazz education, cultural preservation, and community engagement.

White has toured nationally and internationally as a freelance trombonist, performing at some of the world’s largest jazz festivals and with artists including John Legend (Indonesia), Kindred the Family Soul (South Africa), and the Sun Ra Arkestra (Europe). He has shared the stage with Lady Alma and recorded in-studio with Patti LaBelle. Alongside these collaborations, he has built strong relationships with Philadelphia’s nonprofit and arts communities. His work is driven by a deep dedication to jazz as both an art form and a vehicle for education, cultural preservation, and community connection.

He currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Drexel University, where he directs the Jazz Orchestra and teaches courses in jazz performance and history. Previously, he was the Education Program Manager at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, designing and implementing outreach programs for Philadelphia students. He has also taught jazz in the Philadelphia Prison System, the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, Settlement Music School, and the Camden City School District. His residencies have included work with The Juilliard School of Music’s Outreach Department (Bay Area Tour), where he led jazz workshops in juvenile detention centers, children’s hospitals, and schools across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Beyond performing and teaching, White is deeply involved in community and cultural work. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts and on the Board of Settlement Music School’s Northeast Branch, helping to preserve and expand access to music education. As an associate minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Holmesburg, he combines music, ministry, and outreach to serve community needs. His most recent album, code-switching, and his earlier release, Broken Toy, demonstrate his commitment to using music as a platform for dialogue, history, healing, and social awareness. He is also developing projects that spotlight the music of 19th-century bandleader Francis Johnson and create intergenerational performance opportunities that celebrate and sustain Black American music traditions.