Meet JT

Atlanta-based trumpet performer, composer, and teaching artist John-Thomas (“JT”) Burson explores his lifelong passion for music across a diversity of arenas, including solo performances of his own music and engineering studio recordings. Burson is an Affiliate Artist in Music at Oglethorpe University and Principal Solo Cornet of the Georgia Brass Band.

John-Thomas’ musical journey has taken him to international stages, including a memorable tour in the UK with the Fountain City Brass Band and in Vietnam with the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. He has performed orchestrally with the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Georgia Symphony, Atlanta Ballet, Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, and the Aspen Music Festival.

As a composer, Burson crafts music that resonates deeply. He was a finalist in the Abbey Road Film Scoring Competition and won the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Solo Competition with an original composition honoring his brother, Officer Joseph Burson, who tragically died in the line of duty while serving in the Holly Springs (GA) Police Department. A recent recording project with Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Trumpet Tom Hooten will be available in 2026, showcasing a collection of music dedicated to Burson’s brother. The album, “Brass for Joe,” will raise funds for the Officer Joe Burson Memorial Scholarship.

JT has worked on numerous film productions as an assistant composer with Timothy Stuart Jones of Mystery Ship Music, including The Platform (20 episodes), The Hot Seat starring Mel Gibson (Arranger, Trumpet, Assistant), Engaged to You (Assistant and Trumpet), and Cupid for Christmas (Assistant), to name a few. Burson holds a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Performance from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Music (M.M.) in Performance from Stony Brook University. johnthomasburson.com