Article Contributed by Milestone Publicity
Published on 2026-10-10
Above: Jon Lampley; photo credit: Clay Rodriguez
Today, trumpeter, sousaphonist and singer-songwriter Jon Lampley unveils the official music video for “JOY,” the celebratory standout track from his sophomore solo album, Notes To Self, released June 26, featuring guitarist Cory Wong.
The video stars Tony-nominated actor Daniel J. Watts (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical), who also conceived and choreographed the performance, bringing the song to life through movement.
Premiered via Glide Magazine, the video for “JOY” follows Watts as he dances and skips through the frame. By the final shot, his choreography and paint-dipped Vans have transformed the once-blank canvas into a vibrant work of art, created in real time.
Glide praised the video as one that “captures the music’s soaring spirit” while “stirring up a wave of positive emotions,” calling “JOY” “a clear standout on the album.”
Lampley produced the video and co-directed it with Tyler Ward, who also filmed and edited, with additional help from Eric Texter (BIB Media) and production assistant Alaman Diadhiou.
WATCH THE “JOY” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:
Written by Lampley and co-produced by Lampley, Cory Wong, Michael Thurber, Clyde Lawrence, Jordan Cohen and Jonny Koh, “JOY” is the emotional centerpiece of the album: a soulful anthem built on uplifting grooves and a strong sense of community.
“‘JOY’ feels like a personal mantra, guiding me to approach each day with optimism and gratitude,” Lampley shares.
Produced by Lampley, The Diner (Jordan Cohen, Clyde Lawrence, Jonny Koh), and Michael Thurber, Notes To Self marks Lampley’s arrival as a frontman after 11 years as a core member of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert house band.
Written largely from a first-person perspective, the album reflects on ambition, optimism, relationships, faith, and growth. Highlights include lead single and music video “Greener,” which boasts a surprise cameo from Stephen Colbert, and a soulful reimagining of “Dock of the Bay” featuring Clyde and Gracie Lawrence and Late Show bandleader Louis Cato.
The Late Show’s closing night on May 21 delivered one of Lampley’s most memorable moments: Paul McCartney borrowed his trumpet to play “When the Saints Go Marching In,” a spontaneous moment of connection that mirrors the spirit of “JOY.”
“I’m ready to be at the front of something, not just considered a side project, and to make songs about the human experience that allow us all to feel a little more in community with each other,” Lampley says.
Critics have taken notice. NPR called Lampley’s 2024 solo debut Night Service: Live at LunÀtico “so joyful,” while The New York Times profiled him for his work on The Late Show. The New Yorker called Notes To Self “a joyous soul-pop record” on which “the trumpeter levels up as a singer and front man.”
About Jon Lampley
Jon Lampley is a trumpeter, sousaphonist, vocalist, songwriter, composer, and bandleader whose work spans modern jazz, soul, gospel, and contemporary roots music. Drawing from the expressive lineage of Louis Armstrong and Roy Hargrove, and the soul traditions of Sam Cooke and D’Angelo, his music balances jazz virtuosity with gospel-rooted emotional clarity.
For over a decade, Lampley was a core member of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert house band, performing nightly under Jon Batiste and later Louis Cato. The experience placed him on a global stage and shaped a performance style defined by precision, responsiveness, and emotional immediacy.
Beyond late-night television, he has established himself as one of the most versatile brass players of his generation. He co-founded the jazz-funk ensemble Huntertones and has toured internationally with artists including O.A.R. and Lake Street Dive, moving fluidly between jazz, rock, and soul-driven performance environments.
Raised in Akron, Ohio, Lampley’s earliest musical foundation came through church, where he first learned trumpet by ear. That environment shaped his understanding of music as something communal and expressive — less about technical display than emotional transmission and shared experience.
He later performed with The Ohio State University Marching Band, developing the discipline, stamina, and ensemble awareness that continue to define his musicianship. After relocating to Brooklyn, New York, his artistic identity fully crystallized with Night Service: Live at LunÀtico (2024), which introduced him as a confident frontman and bandleader in his own right.
With Notes To Self (2026), Lampley expands that foundation into a more personal and reflective studio statement — one that deepens his transition from celebrated sideman to frontman while centering themes of ambition, gratitude, faith, and human connection.
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