Biography
Musician/Producer, Dontae Winslow, grew up in a tough neighborhood in West Baltimore. He was raised by his God loving grandparents and a single mother, who tragically fell into drug addiction. Music was not only a passion for young Dontae, it served as a release mechanism. Releasing him from a grip very few are ever liberated from. Giving Dontae the opportunity to soar!
His early music studies began at The Baltimore School for the Arts, where he met and was encouraged by the late, great, Tupac Shakur, who would become very influential his music. Dontae went on to The New School for Social Research in New York City, where he was mentored by the great, young jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove. Next, Dontae attended the Peabody Conservatory of the John's Hopkins University. In three years, he attained a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Classical Music Performance. Dontae continued his studies, attaining a Master's degree in European Classical Music Performance just two years later.
In 2003, Dontae Winslow was awarded a full-fellowship to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at USC, where he studied and performed with legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and Hollywood film composer Terence Blanchard. He has been considered an elite trumpeter ever since.
As a musician, Dontae Winslow remains in very high demand. He has toured the world, playing with the bands of Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Common, D'Angelo, Christina Aguilera, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dog, Gary Bartz, Gary Thomas, Raphael Saadiq, and The Soulful Symphony. Recently, Dontae has made repeated appearances on the 10th season of American Idol, performing songs with Idol hopefuls. He also performed in Las Vegas with Jamie Fox before the Mosely vs. Pacquiao fight.
As a music producer/songwriter/arranger, Dontae is just as acclaimed, having worked with multi-platinum artists such as Keyshia Cole, Kelly Price, Avant, Beyonce, Dr. Dre, David Banner, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Chantee Moore, Mary Mary, Kierra Sheard, and Snoop Dog.
In 2011, Dontae added Hollywood Film Composer to his list of titles, scoring his first featured film, The Discarded Boyz, directed by Holloywood-Icon, Robert Townsend starring Michael Clarke Duncan, Loretta Devine, and Vivica A. Fox. Film set for release in the fall of 2011.
Dontae is a founding member of WinslowDynasty, a musical duet comprised of he and his wife, Mashica Winslow, whose dynamic, angelic voice, songwriting and stellar arranging abilities are pure magic conveyed with a passion that is infectious. Their formidable alliance encompasses styles of Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop and Rhythm and Blues music, with elements of honesty, sincerity and fearlessness, which makes for a truly unique musical experience.
