The Philly POPS announced today the appointment of Byron Stripling as Principal Guest Conductor. Stripling made his POPS debut in 2017 performing in Ella, Louis & All That Jazz. As Principal Guest Conductor for the 2022-23 season, Stripling enters his sixth season with the POPS.
A frequent Guest Conductor at the POPS, Stripling has led increasingly popular shows, including Uptown Nights with Byron Stripling, Aretha: RESPECT, and this past year’s Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute. Stripling has also performed with the POPS as guest trumpeter for the 2017 show, Ella, Louis, and All that Jazz. This year, Stripling conducted Dancin’ in the Streets: The Music of Motown and will return for two upcoming POPS productions, including ‘S Wonderful! ‘S Gershwin! and Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute, both shows that Stripling has created.
Throughout his five-year history with the POPS, Stripling has worked with POPSinSchools students visiting area schools, conducting masterclasses, and in creating performance opportunities for students. He has worked with the All-City Jazz Band on multiple occasions, partnering with POPS Artistic Director for Jazz, Terell Stafford.
Stripling’s career spans performance, conducting, and teaching. His significant career achievements include performing with 100s of orchestras from around the world such as the New York Pops, Boston Pops, and National Symphony; featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and PBS television special, “Evening at the Pops”; performing as lead trumpeter with the Count Basie Orchestra; performances at Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and the GRP All Star Big Band. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and conductor of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Principal Pops Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He has worked with such distinguished artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, and Lionel Hampton.
“I am deeply humbled by the incredible opportunity to make music with The Philly POPS into the future,” said Stripling. “Their passionate and inspiring concerts have uplifted millions and, as the newly appointed Principal Guest Conductor, I am honored to continue their grand tradition of community engagement and world-class performances.”
“Byron has been a fan favorite for years and brings an incredible amount of energy to each performance. We are thrilled to welcome him in this new role,” said Frank Giordano, President of The Philly POPS. “His excellence in programming, his vision, and artistic direction has created some of our best and most memorable concerts. This appointment will further extend and expand the POPS’ artistic presence for years to come.”
About Byron Stripling
With a contagious smile and captivating charm, conductor, trumpet virtuoso, singer, and actor BYRON STRIPLING, has ignited audiences across the globe. In 2020, STRIPLING was named Principal Pops conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and currently serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra. STRIPLING’S baton has led countless orchestras throughout the United States and Canada including the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Fort Worth Symphony to name a few.
As a soloist with the Boston Pops, Stripling has performed frequently under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being the featured soloist on the PBS television special, "Evening at Pops," with conductors John Williams and Mr. Lockhart. Currently, Stripling serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra.Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, STRIPLING has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with over 100 orchestras around the world including the Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and orchestras throughout Europe and Asia. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and performs at festivals around the world.
An accomplished actor and singer, STRIPLING was chosen, following a worldwide search, to star in the lead role of the Broadway bound musical, "Satchmo." Many will remember his featured cameo performance in the television movie, "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," and his critically acclaimed virtuoso trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the 42nd Street production of "From Second Avenue to Broadway."Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of The Grammy Awards. Millions have heard his trumpet and voice on television commercials, TV theme songs including "20/20," CNN, and soundtracks of favorite movies. In addition to multiple recordings with his quintet, work with artists from Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston, his prolific recording career includes hundreds of albums with the greatest pop, Broadway, soul and jazz artists of all time.
STRIPLING earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. He has also played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band.
STRIPLING is devoted to giving back and supports several philanthropic organizations including The United Way and Homelessness advocate and The Community Shelter Board. He also enjoys sharing the power of music through Seminars and Master Classes at colleges, universities, conservatories, and high schools. His informative talks, combined with his incomparable wit and charm, make him a favorite guest speaker to groups of all ages.
STRIPLING was educated at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. One of his greatest joys is to return, periodically, to Eastman and Interlochen as a special guest lecturer.
A resident of Ohio, STRIPLING lives in the country with his wife Alexis, a former dancer, writer and poet and their beautiful daughters.
