Arnetta Johnson says she’ll forever be a student -- continuing to learn and absorb, all while performing on the largest stages across the United States and abroad. A born and raised Camden, NJ native, she credits her mentors as well as early teaching artists who encouraged her musical experimentation for her ability to turn jazz on its head. Now the creator of her celebrated “disruptive jazz” style and “Netta Bop” sound that critics rave about, Arnetta was given the confidence she needed by those mentors in her life to succeed. Deemed one of the “20 Artists to Watch” by NPR, Arnetta Johnson is leaving her stamp on the jazz world and earning her place in the playlists of her colleagues and peers.
As former Kimmel teaching artist in our free education programs, Arnetta is now taking the Perelman Theater stage in her debut performance on the Kimmel Cultural Campus on March 19. Get to know a bit more about Arnetta and she shares insights into her craft and career via a quick Q &A.
You have spent a lot of time introducing both young musical audiences and jazz aficionados to an all-new musical experience with your style, but how did Arnetta come to meet the trumpet?
If I'm being honest, me picking up the trumpet wasn't on purpose at all. My mother was a music teacher so most assume that it was her that got me into trumpet but that wasn't the case at all. Here's the story...
While in school I realized that my brother was always leaving class for about 30 minutes throughout the week -- come to find out he was going to band lessons. This created the perfect plan for me to get out of class for a bit. Since my mom was a music teacher, I knew she'd think nothing of it and would most likely be excited that I was joining the school band, so I signed up. The band teacher said the rhythm section instruments were all filled so I'd have to play a horn. Sax and trombone weren't the right fit so I chose trumpet. Soon, [music teacher] Nasir Dickerson came in and his teachings sparked my interest even more with the horn. So in short, that's how I ended up playing the trumpet.
Johnson admits when she first started playing the trumpet, she had no idea that it would lead her to where she is now. She started small by rehearsing with Dickerson’s the Camden Little Jazz Giants and worked on developing her newfound craft alongside the musical community in Camden. She continued to finetune the trumpet while picking up numerous accolades along the way including national medals from the NAACP ACT-SO Competition, over 20 Best Soloist awards from various high school jazz festivals, and being recognized as Best Overall Soloist at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Fest.
Participating in the Berklee High School Jazz Festival in 2012.
How has your relationships with your mentors challenged you to push jazz, and more broadly music, to new and exciting realms?
My mentors always challenged me to aim higher when it came to the art. 'Til this day they are advocates for one staying true to themselves, trusting the process, and going for "IT". When they heard my newfound style and my approach, they all made sure to keep me encouraged and continue to help me navigate the industry...especially the business side. My mentors let me know that it would be challenging given that I'm trying to change the scope of how instrumentalists are perceived and how people/"businesses" approach us as artist. In the midst of adversity, I was always taught to push through.
Her young stardom catapulted her career and now, Johnson performed with some of the biggest artists in the world. Her first gig after graduating from the Berklee College of Music in 2016 was performing with Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars at the Super Bowl XL halftime show. She then went on to be a featured trumpeter on Beyonce’s 2018 On the Run II Tour, the Carters' Grammy®-winning album Everything Is Love, and Beyonce’s ground-breaking Coachella performance documented in Netflix’s Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce. Arnetta is also the bandleader of her group, Arnetta Johnson and SUNNY (Sounds Uplifting Nobility through Notes and Youth) along with being a featured trumpeter for the indie-pop band AJR. She released her debut album If You Hear a Trumpet it’s Me in 2019.
Arnetta playing trumpet, just left of Beyonce during Coachella
Johnson is also passionate about giving back to young musicians and works regularly as a teaching artist in Camden and even on the Kimmel Cultural Campus, in both the Creative Music Program (Select Ensembles) and Neighborhood Jams. Arnetta has said that she is dedicated to giving back to her community and understands the importance of helping and influencing the next generation of musicians.
How has your time as a student learning music shaped how you interact with younger musicians?
My time as a student has shaped my interaction with students drastically. I'll forever be a student given that learning is a lifelong journey. My beginner musician days helped me understand the importance of giving back to my community. It's one thing to be successful, but it's another thing to be successful and use your position to be a help and influence those coming next.
I know what it's like to not being able to afford private lessons. I know what it's like to have dreams that seem unattainable. I know what it's like to be ambitious and ready to conquer the world. I know what's like to be sat down and taught a valuable lesson. I know what it's like to have someone come back to pour that knowledge into the young musicians of a community. With all this in mind it has been a mission of mine to always come back to my community and be involved with the upcoming young musicians.
Arnetta’s debut album – If You Hear A Trumpet It’s Me
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
My advice for aspiring artists/musicians is to always go for what you want, but understand that it will take hard work, mental toughness, a team, and money. You will have amazing days and you will have not so amazing days. Both are important. There's always a lesson to be learned. In the midst of pushback and adversity keep going!
There will be people that approach your artistry with how they think you should execute your vision and sound, and when they notice your drive they'll do all the can pushback on you...be ten toes down with your artistry. Never waver.
Make sure you have a mentor to guide you along the way. The have experienced things that you haven’t just yet. They'll be able to help you navigate throughout not only the industry, but as an individual.
Lastly, SAVE YOUR MONEY! It is not easy investing in yourself (the price tags on certain things are scary) but it's so worth it. Through networking you'll come across people that will invest in you in many forms -- as you should be doing vice versa from time to time. But be sure to save your money up so that you can have a chance at executing whatever it is that you want to do in your artistry. Whether it's buying a new horn or going above the average to put on a "Jazz" show that will change the perspective of Instrumental music.
Finally, how have your goals and values created a community/network of mentors and collaborators in the music industry?
My efforts and goals show that things are possible in the midst of it all. I personally work with many artists and musicians throughout the city. It's through a collaborative effort that we are able to bring our visions to life and show people the value in what we already know we have. This upcoming show on March 19th alone will show the impact my goals have pertaining to networking and community in the industry.
See Arnetta Johnson and her trumpet perform live on the Kimmel Cultural Campus at 8PM on March 19th. And check out more of our upcoming jazz events on our website.