1. Hi Tatiana! Please introduce yourself to those who might not know you. 
Hey y’all! I’m Tatiana Tate—25-year-old trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and social media  influencer. I’m a multi-instrumentalist specializing in trumpet but also rocking vocals, drums, and  now guitar. Born and raised in Long Beach, CA, I hold a degree in Jazz Studies with a focus on Commercial Music Composition.
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2. How did your connection with Shira and Gritty In Pink come about? 
My dad has always been super hands-on with my career. One day, during one of his deep dives on the internet, he found an article about Shira in Forbes and immediately created a profile for me on the INPINK platform. Soon after, Shira invited me to perform at the Gritty Jam, and before I knew it, I was booking gigs through the platform.
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3. What’s it like being part of a movement that creates space for diverse women in the music  industry? 
Gritty In Pink is the kind of platform that should be everywhere! Shira built a community where women can feel safe, thrive, and keep work circulating within our own network. In a male-dominated industry, we’re often expected to shrink ourselves—but Gritty is all about having the courage to take up space and push for our full potential.
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4. When did you first realize music was your path? Was there a specific moment or influence that  solidified trumpet as your dream? 
My older brother, Jonathan, is the reason I started music. He was in an after-school drum program, and one day, the instructor handed me a trumpet. That was it—I fell in love instantly. 

But the moment I knew this was my destiny happened in church. I was playing my horn when a homeless man walked in, drawn by the sound. He sat through the service, later joined the church, and completely turned his life around. That experience showed me that music has the power to heal, and I knew I wanted to do this forever.
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5. You recently performed with Stevie Wonder at the FireAid benefit concert and appeared in an  ESPN Super Bowl commercial. What were those experiences like?
For the Stevie Wonder gig, I got a call out of the blue, and a few days later, I was on stage with him! Every horn player learns his songs, but playing them alongside him was something else entirely. The energy, the love—it changed the way I’ll play those tunes forever. 

The ESPN commercial was a blast! We gave Not Like Us a jazz twist, adding some New Orleans flavor. Now, I need to visit NOLA for real! Both of these opportunities reminded me that when preparation meets opportunity, magic happens.
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6. You’ve worked with incredible artists. Who’s on your dream collaboration list? 
Beyoncé. That’s it. That’s the answer. She’s an icon, a visionary, a powerhouse, and I’d love to share the stage with her. 

Beyond that, I’d love to work with Anderson .Paak, Snoop Dogg, Amber Mark, Susan Carol, and Aneesa Strings. Honestly, I’m open to collaborating with anyone who’s about making great music— so yes, hit me up!
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7.  Is there a song you love performing live? 
‍Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste of Honey! The 70s were such a peak era for Black expression—the clothes, the hair, the attitude, the music. That song has this infectious energy that just makes you  move. I first heard it as a kid in the backseat of my parents’ car, kicking my feet to the beat without  even realizing it. Now, when I perform, I want people to feel that kind of joy. 

8. What’s the most challenging part of playing the trumpet? Do you have any warm-up routines  you swear by?
The hardest part of playing trumpet is… playing the trumpet. Seriously. Unlike some instruments,  where you can take a few days off and jump back in, trumpet requires daily maintenance. Our embouchure is a muscle—skip a few days, and it’s like skipping leg day. 

My go-to exercise is playing with just my lead pipe and a drone tuner. If my chops ever feel off, this always brings me back to center.
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9. Are there any trumpeters who have shaped your sound? 
This is tough because it depends on my musical season, but my top five in heavy rotation are:
• Roy Hargrove 
• Donald Byrd 
• Clora Bryant 
• Freddie Hubbard 
• Miles Davis
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I was lucky enough to meet Clora before she passed. She was one of the few women on the scene in her time, and even then, she didn’t always get the recognition she deserved. When I discovered her in high school, I knew I had to carry her legacy forward.
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10. If you could play in any band, past or present, who would it be? 
Earth, Wind & Fire. No hesitation. One of my favorite songs, Shining Star, became a personal affirmation—I’d sing it in the mirror growing up. They need to go ahead and put me in the horn section already!
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11. If your life were a movie, what would the title be, and who would play you? 
“BUSSDOWN T: Musician Extraordinaire by Day, Crime-Fighting Soul Sista by Night.” 
Beyoncé would play me in my early years, Pam Grier would take over in my mid-life, and Angela Davis would close it out. In my head, I’m already starring in a 70s crime show every day!
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12. If you could pick one album as the soundtrack to your life, what would it be? 
‍Mothership Connection by Parliament. It’s the Funk Bible! Afrofuturism, groove, storytelling—it has everything. Some of the first horn lines I ever tried to play came from that record.

13. What’s a personal achievement from this past year that you’re especially proud of? 
Being featured on Doechii’s Grammy-winning Tiny Desk Concert was a huge moment. Music  Director Slimwav gave me space to shine not just as a musician, but as an arranger. And the best  part? I got to share that stage with my sisters. Many of us knew each other before the gig, and that chemistry made the performance electric. There’s nothing better than creating with people you love.

14. What’s next for you?
I’m dropping my debut single, Betty Hubbard, this May, as part of my first EP—it’s been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to share my voice with the world! 

Right now, I’m on tour with Adrian Younge from Jazz is Dead, working on finishing the EP, and building my solo show. So stay tuned—I’m coming to a city near you!
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