Biography
Wayne Bergeron is enjoying a career as one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. Studio sessions, film dates, international touring, jazz concerts, guest appearances, and clinics keep him busy not only in his hometown of Los Angeles, but worldwide.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1958, Bergeron moved to California at age one. He originally began on French horn before switching to trumpet in seventh grade, where he discovered a natural upper register ability. Bergeron credits his junior high and high school teachers, Ron Savitt and Bob Smith, for molding his talent into practical working skills.
Bergeron first caught the ear of many when he landed the lead trumpet chair with Maynard Ferguson’s band in 1986. He can be heard on Maynard’s recordings Body and Soul, Big Bop Nouveau, Brass Attitude, and The One and Only Maynard Ferguson. Bergeron demonstrates daily why Maynard remarked, “Wayne is the most musical lead trumpet player I’ve had in my band.”
As a sideman, Bergeron’s list of recording credits reads like a “who’s who” in contemporary jazz and pop, running the stylistic gamut from Ray Charles to Green Day. Other artists include Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Idina Menzel, Leslie Odom Jr., Herb Alpert, The Jonas Brothers, Burt Bacharach, Dirty Loops, Seth MacFarlane, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Seal, Diana Krall, Tito Puente, Christina Aguilera, Dianne Reeves, Michael Bolton, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Pussycat Dolls, My Chemical Romance, The Mars Volta, Chicago, Rosemary Clooney, Diane Schuur, Barry Manilow, Lee Ann Womack, Lou Rawls, Eric Marienthal, Kenny G, and David Benoit.
Bergeron has worked on over 500 TV and motion picture soundtracks. A partial list of film credits includes Moana (2025), Nobody 2, Mario Bros 1 & 2, Toy Story 5, Red Notice, Turning Red, Soul, Bob’s Burgers, Ford vs. Ferrari, Toy Story 4, Frozen 1 & 2, The Lion King (2019), The Secret Life of Pets, Wreck-It Ralph 2, Crazy Rich Asians, Sing 1 & 2, Moana, Frozen 1 & 2, Get On Up, Toy Story 3, Monsters University, High School Musical 3, Get Smart, Superman Returns, The Simpsons Movie, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Mission Impossible 3, Ice Age 2, Spider-Man 1 & 2, Team America, and South Park.
Bergeron’s featured trumpet solos can be heard in Hoppers, Naked Gun 2, Zootopia 2, West Side Story (2021, directed by Steven Spielberg), La La Land, Sing, The Incredibles 1 & 2, Rocky Balboa, The Secret Life of Pets 2, Rough Night, Jazzman’s Blues, Vacation Friends, Ted 2, Minions, Minions 2: The Rise of Gru, Spies in Disguise, Jersey Boys, The Green Hornet, The Interview, Despicable Me 1, 2 & 3, Duplicity, The Princess and the Frog, The Perfect Game, Hey Arnold (The Movie), The Rat Pack, Child Star, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, High Crimes, and many others.
Numerous television credits include the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, SAG Awards, NBC, ESPN & TNT sports themes, American Idol (2001–02), Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Animaniacs (Reboot), Big City Greens, Ted, Ted Animated Series, Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, The Cleveland Show, Green Eggs and Ham, Jeopardy! (Theme), America’s Funniest Home Videos, Will & Grace, Phineas & Ferb, The Emperor’s New School, Mouse Works, Have a Laugh, House of Mouse, King of the Hill, Futurama, Buzz Lightyear, Hercules, and Hey Arnold.
Bergeron’s greatest love is playing lead trumpet in big bands. He has recorded and performed with some of Los Angeles’ most respected bands and leaders including Gordon Goodwin, Arturo Sandoval, Pat Williams, Sammy Nestico, Jack Sheldon, Chris Walden, Tom Kubis, John La Barbera, Bob Florence, Joey Sellers, Ray Anthony, Bill Watrous, Bob Curnow, and Quincy Jones.
Bergeron is principal trumpet in the newly formed Pacific Jazz Orchestra conducted by Chris Walden. He also performs regularly with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra during the summer season. In addition, Bergeron has made guest appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Taiwan Symphony, and Tokyo Philharmonic.
After working behind the scenes for many years, Bergeron stepped out on his own with his first solo effort, You Call This a Living? This debut project earned him a Grammy nomination in 2004 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, as well as rave reviews from fans and press worldwide. Bergeron’s second CD, Plays Well With Others (Concord Jazz, 2007), was met with equal acclaim. Bergeron’s most current (and personal favorite) CD, Full Circle, was released in January 2016.
Bergeron is a National Artist for Yamaha Corporation of America and co-designer of the YTR-8335LA trumpet and YFH-8315G flugelhorn. He also designed a series of trumpet mouthpieces with Gary Radtke of GR Technologies, available through Bergeron’s website.
Bergeron was mentored by legends Uan Rasey, Bobby Shew, Warren Luening, Gary Grant, Rick Baptist, and George Graham. He hopes to inspire a new generation of young players and greatly enjoys his work as a clinician and educator. “Nothing makes me feel more accomplished than hearing a young musician say that I inspired them or had a positive influence on their life. For me, that’s the real payday.”
Bergeron is currently on faculty at California State University, Northridge.
Perhaps Grammy-winning composer and bandleader Gordon Goodwin said it best:
“Wayne is a once-in-a-lifetime lead trumpet player.”