Kid Chocolate

A Grammy-award winning and Billboard-award winning artist, Kid Chocolate began playing the trumpet when he was nine-years-old. A young sensation passionate about the music, Kid Chocolate was able to take his musical talents on the road at the age of 15 when he began touring the world performing for festivals, clubs and concert halls. Talent with accolades to prove it, Kid Chocolate has been on the receiving end of such awards as the Offbeat and Big Easy awards, Latin Billboard Award and two additional Grammy nominations. An eclectic ear has led the musical genius to conquer genres from Afro-Caribbean, Blues and traditional/revivalist music representative of New Orleans culture.

A tradition that boasts greats like Louis Armstrong, Bunk Johnson and Henry “Red” Allen have crossed generations as the beautiful sounds of jazz deliver music in a way that heals the soul and eases your mind. Kid Chocolate, a singer and trumpeter, has continued the soulful tradition becoming protégé to great musicians such as Clyde Kerr Jr., Sam Alcorn, Greg Safford, Leroy Jones and many more. A New Orleans native who is true to his roots, Kid Chocolate has cemented the roots of early black music creating connections to younger audiences.

A man of many passions and determination, Kid Chocolate has taken his experiences and turned it back in to his music. Falling ill shortly after returning home post-Hurricane Katrina, Kid Chocolate was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy that left the complete right side of his face paralyzed cutting his dreams short. Throughout his ten-month absence from the scene, Kid Chocolate took this time to further develop his skill elevating his singing and playing abilities. Rehabilitating his facial muscles and touring with Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra led the kid to develop new ventures.

In July of 2009, Kid Chocolate assembled a quartet to fulfill a 6 year residency at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse for weekly engagements as a continuing process of rehabilitation,performing live sets. In addition to the weekly performances, Kid Chocolate is a devoted faculty member of The Don "Moose" Jamison Heritage School of Music where he provides musical instruction to brass students between the ages of 11-17 years of age. Kid Chocolate has dedicated five years to Don “Moose” Jamison’s Heritage School of Music preparing its students to perform at the New Orleans French Quarter Fest and Jazz & Heritage Festival. Kid also teaches a hand selected few students privately. These students are the ones who have shown an extraordinary interest in learning how to play Jazz music.

Currently, Kid Chocolate has assembled a new quintet of young musicians to pass the traditions and spirit of New Orleans Music. Forever a humble student, Kid is also currently touring with 5 time Grammy Award winner Dr. John & The Night Trippers.
Remaining committed to his mission to merge generations around the sounds of jazz, Kid is using his position to further bridge that gap and revitalize the sounds that inspire, heal and create unity around a single passion... Jazz