Bo Winniker

At the age of 10, Bo Winiker kicked off his career as a professional musician by taking the stage in his hometown of Millis, Massachusetts with his mother, father, and elder brother as part of the band known as the Winiker Family Band. After graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he was a member of the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble, which went on to earn a Grammy award, Bo continued his musical education. Gunther Schuller, a former president of the NEC, was the ensemble's conductor during Bo's 25 years as a member of the group, during which time Bo participated in tours all over the world. In the years 1972 and 1973, he was the trumpet soloist of choice for the Stan Kenton Orchestra. In addition, he has performed as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra. In 1992, Bo and Billy Joel collaborated on the recording of the motion picture score for "A League of Their Own." He has given performances in the White House for President Ford, at the Inauguration of President Carter, and at the Inaugural Ball for President Bill Clinton, when he shared the stage with the legendary Aretha Franklin. Between 2013 and 2017, Bo led the New Year's Eve Gala performances by the Boston Pops Swing Orchestra, all of which were completely sold out. On New Year's Eve in 2018, Bo was given the opportunity to perform at Symphony Hall once more, this time serving as the opening act for the Pops with his swing orchestra. At a wide variety of gatherings and celebrations all around New England, you may catch Bo and the other members of his band giving performances. It doesn't matter how big or tiny the stage is, Bo always delivers the same contagious enthusiasm to every performance, and his horn playing, singing, and directing the band have all been praised for their mesmerizing qualities.