The sound of crackling vinyl and smiles that could fill any room are what Dalton Mumphrey remembers most from his childhood listening to his dad’s vintage stereo system with family. Unbeknownst to him, those moments instilled an ever-growing passion for music that he continues to carry throughout life.

Mumphrey is a musician, composer, curator, educator, arranger, bandleader, and life-long student who recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2024.

Mumphrey grew up in Murrieta, California, where he picked up his first instrument at 10. He then studied saxophone in high school through Gospel, Jazz, and Blues to Western Classical Music and Marching Band. He also studied and performed through the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC) under the tutelage of Gilbert Castellanos and played at local jams and coffee shops.

Mumphrey took to Los Angeles in 2020 to further his studies and music career. He remains in the city where he is preparing the release of an EP - Introspection.

Mumphrey has had the privilege of studying with Justo Almario, Mark Turner and Hitomi Oba in saxophone, Terence Blanchard and Arturo O’Farrill in composition, and James Newton in flute. During that time, Mumphrey has served as Vice President of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Undergraduate Student Advisory Board, was a member of the UCLA Gluck Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Terence Blanchard, and formed and still performs with Continuance, a local band that performs original music.

Mumphrey's achievements extend beyond UCLA. In July 2023, he was a featured artist at The Mammoth Jazz Festival, captivating audiences with his original compositions and engaging covers. Among his notable accomplishments is co-bandleading the UCLA Berry Gordy Celebration at the London Hotel in West Hollywood, a tribute to the legendary founder of Motown Records, which attracted a star-studded audience including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Debbie Allen, and industry leader Lucian Grainge. This event highlighted Mumphrey’s ability to honor Motown’s rich legacy while engaging influential figures in music and entertainment. Mumphrey also performed with Thee Sacred Souls at the prestigious Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, further solidifying his reputation for delivering captivating and memorable live performances across diverse musical genres.

Mumphrey can be seen throughout Los Angeles performing at various venues, such as Wolfsglen, LULU Restaurant LA, The Mint, and more. When he is not performing or composing, Mumphrey spends his time as a teaching artist through the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.