Timmy Trumpet
Timmy Trumpet, whose real name is Timothy Jude Smith, is an Australian musician, DJ, songwriter, and record producer born on 9 June 1982 in Sydney, Australia.[1][2] He is renowned for his high-energy live performances that fuse electronic dance music (EDM) with virtuoso trumpet playing, having begun his musical journey as a classically trained jazz musician.[3] Introduced to the trumpet by his father at age four, Smith attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and initially competed in jazz circles before transitioning to EDM in the early 2000s.[1][4] Trumpet's career gained international prominence with his 2014 breakthrough single "Freaks" featuring New Zealand rapper Savage, which achieved multi-platinum status in Australia (nine times platinum by ARIA) and the United States (gold by RIAA), and surpassed one billion streams worldwide, earning him APRA AMCOS's Billions Award in 2024.[5][6] Other notable hits include "Narco" (2017) with Blasterjaxx, which peaked at number four on the ARIA Singles Chart, and collaborations like "All the Things She Said" (2024) with Robin Schulz and KOPPY and "Up & Down" (2020) with Vengaboys.[7][8] His discography spans over 20 years, encompassing albums such as his 2020 debut Mad World, and he has released tracks on major labels including Spinnin' Records and Sony Music.[9] Recognized as Australia's top DJ by the inthemix Awards in 2015, Trumpet maintains a rigorous touring schedule of over 200 shows annually, often performing in unique settings, including the first-ever DJ set in zero gravity in 2019; as of 2025, he continues to release new music such as "Safe and Sound".[10][11][12]Early life
Childhood and family background
Timothy Jude Smith, professionally known as Timmy Trumpet, was born on June 9, 1982, in Sydney, Australia.[13][1][2] Smith grew up in a creative household in Sydney, where his father played a central role in fostering an early appreciation for music by introducing him to the trumpet.[1][14] The family environment emphasized artistic expression.[15] The Smith family maintained a stable residence in Sydney throughout his formative years, providing a consistent backdrop for his childhood development.[1][14] This upbringing in Australia's vibrant cultural hub laid the groundwork for Smith's lifelong passion for music, leading him toward formal training in his early years.[16]Musical training and early influences
Timothy Jude Smith, known professionally as Timmy Trumpet, began playing the trumpet at the age of four, initially taught by his father, who encouraged his early interest in music.[14] This introduction was complemented by exposure to Sydney's vibrant local jazz scene, fostering his foundational skills in brass performance.[15] By age 13, Smith had advanced to formal classical and jazz training, earning the title of Young Musician of the Year in Australia and securing a full scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he studied under Anthony Heinrichs, lead trumpet player of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.[1][10] His training emphasized jazz improvisation and classical techniques, building on self-taught elements from his childhood.[3] He has cited Miles Davis's album Kind of Blue as a pivotal work that "changed everything" in his musical worldview.[1] Additionally, during his teenage years in Sydney, Smith gained early exposure to electronic music through the city's club scene, particularly in areas like Kings Cross, where he began experimenting with improvising trumpet over DJ sets.[14] Smith actively participated in school bands and local jazz performances throughout his teens, honing his skills in ensemble settings and small venues around Sydney, which bridged his classical training with emerging performance opportunities.[17] These experiences solidified his versatility on the trumpet before transitioning toward professional pursuits.[3]Career
2000s–2014: Beginnings in Australia
In the early 2000s, Timmy Trumpet, born Timothy Jude Smith in Sydney, drew on his classical jazz training to perform at local gigs and jazz festivals across Australia, including tours with the Australian All-Star Stage Band in Europe starting at age 15.[18] His roots in jazz, honed through a full scholarship at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under tutor Anthony Heinrich from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, provided the foundation for his initial stage presence in the city's music scene.[18] By the mid-2000s, Smith transitioned toward electronic music, adopting the stage name Timmy Trumpet and beginning as a live trumpeter collaborating with Australian DJ duo the Stafford Brothers at Sydney clubs such as Ivy and Chinese Laundry.[19][20] This role allowed him to blend brass instrumentation with house and electro sets, marking his entry into the burgeoning Australian dance music circuit and helping him secure spots in the inthemix Top 10 DJs rankings.[20] Entering the 2010s, Trumpet released his first original singles through Central Station Recordings, including "Sunrise" in 2009 and "Tromba Ye Ye Ye" with KCB in 2010, followed by "Infinity" in 2012, which showcased his evolving production style fusing trumpet solos with upbeat electronic beats.[21][22] He co-founded the independent label Two Tribes Records during this buildup period, using it to support emerging electronic talent and distribute his own tracks within Australia.[23] Trumpet's domestic profile grew through high-energy performances at major Australian events, such as Parklife Festival in 2009 and 2010, and Splendour in the Grass, where his live trumpet integrations captivated audiences and helped cultivate a dedicated local fanbase via consistent club and festival appearances exceeding 200 shows annually by the early 2010s.[21][19][24]2015–2019: Breakthrough and global rise
In 2015, Timmy Trumpet achieved his first major commercial breakthrough with the single "Freaks," a collaboration with New Zealand rapper Savage, which had initially been released the previous year but gained massive traction throughout 2015. The track peaked at number three on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified six times platinum in Australia (as of 2024) by ARIA, marking it as the highest-selling single in the history of Ministry of Sound Australia.[5] It also amassed viral attention online, surpassing one billion streams worldwide, and driving widespread shares on platforms like YouTube, where fan videos and official visuals amplified its reach among global EDM audiences.[25] This success propelled Trumpet from local Australian circuits to international visibility, solidifying his signature trumpet-infused house sound. Building on this momentum, 2016 saw Trumpet expand into Europe with follow-up releases and high-profile festival appearances. Remixes and extensions of "Freaks" continued to circulate in club scenes, while new singles like "Anybody" maintained chart presence in Australia and began crossing borders. His debut at Tomorrowland in Belgium that July, performing on the Super You&Me Stage, marked a key entry into the continent's premier EDM events and drew enthusiastic crowds with his energetic live trumpet solos.[26] These performances helped cultivate a growing international fanbase, transitioning Trumpet from regional acts to a fixture in the global festival circuit. From 2017 to 2018, Trumpet solidified his status through headline slots at major North American and worldwide festivals, alongside burgeoning collaborations. He performed at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, delivering high-energy sets that blended his orchestral elements with big-room drops, and made his U.S. debut at Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas in 2018 on the lineup alongside acts like Vini Vici.[27] Extensive global tours took him across continents, including stops in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, where his live shows emphasized interactive trumpet riffs and crowd engagement. A notable partnership emerged in June 2018 with Israeli duo Vini Vici on the track "100," released via Doorn Records, which fused psytrance influences with Trumpet's brass style and charted prominently in EDM playlists. By 2019, Trumpet announced his "Send Out a Warning" world tour in March, unveiling an initial slate of dates spanning Europe, North America, and Australia, with the single "World at Our Feet" serving as its anthem and underscoring themes of global unity through dance music. The tour encompassed over 60 shows, highlighting his evolution into a headlining act. That year, he also participated in the innovative World Club Dome Zero Gravity event in Germany, performing a DJ set aboard a parabolic flight simulating weightlessness, an experience he described as uniquely disorienting yet exhilarating for both artist and audience.[28]2020–2023: Pandemic challenges and adaptations
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the global music industry in 2020, forcing Timmy Trumpet to pivot from large-scale live performances to virtual formats while continuing to produce new music from his home in Sydney. Early in the year, he released "The Anthem (Der Alte)," a high-energy collaboration with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, which blended big room elements with his signature trumpet riffs and quickly gained traction on streaming platforms.[29] As lockdowns intensified, Trumpet adapted by hosting the "Sydney Quarantine Set" in April, a one-hour live stream from his apartment that drew over 1 million viewers worldwide, showcasing his energetic drops-only style amid the restrictions.[30] He further participated in major virtual events, including a performance at Tomorrowland Around The World in July, where he delivered a full festival set streamed to millions, and the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Virtual Festival in September, benefiting UNICEF through global broadcasts.[31][32] In December 2020, Trumpet released his debut studio album Mad World, comprising 18 tracks that showcased his signature blend of hard dance and big room house, with notable collaborations including R3HAB on "911", Vengaboys on "Up & Down (The Party Owes Us Nothing)", Scooter on "Nessaja (2021 Remix)", and Vini Vici on "Party So Hard".[9][33] The album was praised for its high-energy production and live trumpet integrations, earning descriptions as a "triumphant" collection that captured the chaotic essence of his performances, though some critics noted its formulaic elements in the EDM landscape.[34] In 2021, with international travel bans persisting, Trumpet focused on home studio productions, leveraging the downtime to collaborate remotely and expand his catalog. Notable releases included "Anita," a Latin-infused track with Armin van Buuren that peaked on dance charts and highlighted his versatility in blending EDM with world music influences, and "Distant Memory," a big room anthem co-produced with R3HAB and W&W.[35] These efforts maintained his momentum, with "Anita" earning radio play across Europe and Asia despite limited live opportunities. Trumpet also launched his SINPHONY Radio show, providing weekly mixes and guest spots to stay connected with fans during isolation, while experimenting with virtual reality elements in select streams to simulate live energy.[36] By 2022, as restrictions eased, Trumpet resumed touring, starting with shows in Australia and expanding to Asia, marking a gradual return to in-person events. He headlined parts of the Ultra Worldwide Asia Tour, performing at Ultra Japan in September to enthusiastic crowds, reigniting his live trumpet performances that had been on hiatus.[37] That year saw the release of "Call Me," a collaborative single with Gabry Ponte and R3HAB featuring vocalist Charla K, which captured the post-pandemic vibe of reconnection and charted on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Sales.[38] These tours, including stops in Seoul and Bali, helped rebuild his international presence, with sets emphasizing crowd interaction through his improvisational trumpet solos. The year 2023 represented a full resurgence, with Trumpet re-entering the European and US festival circuits at full capacity. He delivered a standout mainstage performance at Ultra Music Festival Miami in March, closing with a high-octane set that included mashups of his hits like "Freaks" and "Narco," drawing massive attendance and viral social media buzz.[39] Additional appearances at events like Tomorrowland and EDC solidified his recovery, as he balanced extensive touring with preparations for future projects, adapting lessons from the virtual era to enhance hybrid live experiences.[40]2024–present: Debut album and residencies
That same year, Trumpet solidified his presence in the US market through a residency at Hakkasan Nightclub in Las Vegas, where he delivered weekly high-octane sets blending his trumpet solos with hardstyle anthems, drawing large crowds and enhancing his reputation as a dynamic live act.[41][42] In December 2024, Trumpet released the hardstyle track "MF Mosh Pit" in collaboration with Sullivan King and Und3rsound, from his SINPHONY No. 3 EP, emphasizing aggressive basslines and mosh-pit energy and quickly gaining traction in the hard dance scene.[43] Entering 2025, Trumpet reached new heights, securing the No. 6 position in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll, a drop of one spot from the previous year but affirming his status among global EDM leaders due to his explosive sets and genre-blending innovations.[44] He headlined major festivals, including a mainstage performance at Ultra Music Festival Miami in March, where his set featured crowd-favorite drops and live instrumentation that electrified attendees.[45] Similarly, his July appearance at Parookaville in Germany captivated over 85,000 fans with a 90-minute hard dance extravaganza on the mainstage.[46][47] Later that year, he hosted a vibrant pool party event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa Bay on September 28, turning the daylife venue into a daytime rave with sun-soaked sets.[48] His October tour in Chile highlighted an explosive mainstage show at Creamfields Chile on October 11, where he connected with South American fans through high-energy anthems and trumpet flourishes, marking a key milestone in his Latin American expansion.[49][50]Musical style
Genre influences and evolution
Timmy Trumpet's music primarily spans big room house and hardstyle, characterized by high-energy electronic dance music (EDM) structures infused with live trumpet melodies that add a distinctive brass layer to pulsating drops and builds.[51] This fusion sets him apart in the EDM landscape, where the trumpet serves as both a melodic hook and an improvisational element, bridging acoustic virtuosity with synthetic beats.[15] His tracks often emphasize festival-ready anthems designed to ignite crowds, drawing on the raw energy of hardstyle's relentless kicks while incorporating big room's euphoric progressions.[52] His style evolved from classical and jazz foundations, established during his early training at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, to a hybrid EDM approach that reimagines trumpet improvisation over electronic production.[15] Initially rooted in pure jazz, influenced by his father's profession as a jazz trumpeter, Trumpet's transition accelerated in the early 2010s as he began layering brass solos onto house and dance tracks.[15] A pivotal moment came with the 2014 release of "Freaks," which blended trumpet fanfares with a bouncy big room drop, marking his shift toward genre-blending hybrids and propelling his international breakthrough.[15] Key influences include the improvisational freedom of jazz and the structural innovation of classical music, which inform his trumpet integration, alongside broader EDM inspirations that emphasize crowd-engaging production techniques.[51] Over time, his sound has matured to incorporate more orchestral brass elements in later works, enhancing the thematic focus on party and festival vibes with layered, cinematic depth while maintaining hardstyle's underrated intensity as a core driver.[52][17]Live performance techniques
Timmy Trumpet distinguishes himself in the EDM scene by integrating live trumpet playing into his DJ sets, delivering real-time solos that overlay electronic beats for a unique fusion of jazz and dance music.[44] His performances emphasize high energy, often featuring trumpet riffs during key drops to heighten the crowd's engagement.[3] On stage, he fosters intense audience interaction through call-and-response elements, encouraging fans to mimic trumpet blasts or chant along to builds, creating a communal atmosphere that amplifies the event's vibrancy.[53] Props like confetti cannons are frequently deployed in sync with his trumpet lines, exploding during climactic moments to visually punctuate the music.[54] Pyrotechnics and CO2 blasts further enhance the spectacle, contributing to his reputation for chaotic, explosive shows. Technically, Trumpet employs wireless trumpet setups to maintain mobility, allowing him to roam the stage freely while performing, which adds to the dynamic visual and sonic experience during high-tempo tracks.[55] His live techniques have evolved from intimate club openings in the early 2010s, where trumpet improvisations served as openers, to headline festival spectacles featuring elaborate production.[17] During the COVID-19 pandemic, he adapted to virtual formats, streaming high-production sets from iconic locations like Sydney Harbour that drew over one million viewers.[56] In 2019, he pioneered a zero-gravity performance aboard a parabolic flight, becoming the first trumpet player to play in such conditions, blending innovation with his instrumental style.[57]Personal life
Relationships and family
Timmy Trumpet, whose real name is Timothy Jude Smith, has been married to Anett Tomcsanyi, a Hungarian-born digital creator and content producer, since June 1, 2022. The couple met in Hungary, where Tomcsanyi was raised, and began dating in 2015; she reportedly learned English within two years of their relationship starting. Smith proposed to her during a livestreamed DJ set in July 2020, an event captured on social media that highlighted their shared stage presence at performances.[58][59][17] Despite Smith's demanding schedule of over 200 shows per year, the pair maintain a low-profile relationship, with Tomcsanyi occasionally joining him on tour but largely staying out of the public eye. Following their wedding in Budapest, Hungary, the couple opted for an impromptu performance-based "honeymoon" at a club event rather than a traditional getaway, reflecting the realities of his touring lifestyle. They reside primarily in Sydney, Australia, where Smith has deep roots from his upbringing.[59][17][60][61] Smith has rarely discussed his personal life in depth but has credited his family as a key source of motivation amid career challenges, describing them in a 2024 interview as "my lucky charms, my source of energy and motivation." In January 2025, he became a godfather to a family friend's child. No public information is available regarding children.[41][62]Health incidents and philanthropy
In July 2025, during his European tour, Australian DJ Timmy Trumpet sustained an ankle injury that required him to wear a leg brace and follow medical advice to rest, leading to the cancellation of several upcoming performances.[11][63] The injury, which occurred mid-summer festival season, forced him to miss high-profile events such as Tomorrowland in Belgium, as well as other dates across Europe.[64][65] Trumpet shared updates on social media, expressing regret to fans and optimism for a speedy recovery after undergoing treatment, though the incident significantly disrupted his summer schedule and prompted a temporary hiatus from touring. He recovered and resumed performances later in 2025, including shows in October and November.[66][67][68] Later that summer, during the same European tour, Trumpet experienced additional physical strain when he fell off the stage during a performance, describing the tour overall as a "hectic pace" that tested his endurance.[69][70] This incident highlighted the toll of his rigorous travel and performance demands, contributing to minor exhaustion amid frequent flights and back-to-back shows, though he completed the tour without further major interruptions.[71] Beyond his career challenges, Trumpet has engaged in philanthropic efforts, including collaborations with charitable organizations to support broader community initiatives.[51] He has advocated for mental health awareness in the electronic music scene, emphasizing the need for open, non-judgmental conversations among artists to address touring-related stress and burnout.[72]Discography
Studio albums
Timmy Trump's debut studio album, Mad World, was released on December 4, 2020, marking his first full-length project after years of successful singles and EPs. Comprising 18 tracks, the album blends big room house, psytrance, and hardstyle elements, with standout collaborations including R3HAB on "911 (Rescue Me)", Gabry Ponte on the title track "Mad World", Vengaboys on "Up & Down (The Dope Song)", Scooter on "Rampage!", Vini Vici on "Thunder", and New World Sound featuring Kheela on "The City". These partnerships highlight the album's emphasis on high-energy anthems designed for festival crowds and club environments.[73] Produced primarily by Trumpet himself alongside select co-producers, Mad World was crafted in his Sydney studio, reflecting a cohesive vision of euphoric drops, orchestral trumpet solos, and uplifting builds that capture the escapism and intensity of electronic music. The project serves as a career milestone, compiling 11 new original tracks with reworked versions of earlier hits, and has amassed over 390 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025, underscoring its enduring popularity in the EDM scene.[74][75]| Key Track | Collaborator(s) | Genre Style | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad World | Gabry Ponte | Big Room | Cover of Tears for Fears classic with explosive drop |
| 911 (Rescue Me) | R3HAB | Dance Pop | Infectious vocal hooks and radio-friendly production |
| Up & Down (The Dope Song) | Vengaboys | Eurodance | Nostalgic revival with party chant vocals |
| Rampage! | Scooter | Hardstyle | High-BPM aggression and rapid synths |
| Thunder | Vini Vici | Psytrance | Tribal rhythms fused with trumpet melody |
| The City | New World Sound, Kheela | House | Urban vibe with soaring female vocals |
Singles and EPs
Timmy Trump's breakthrough single "Freaks," a collaboration with New Zealand rapper Savage, was released on August 8, 2014, through Hussle Recordings and Ministry of Sound. The track blended house beats with trumpet riffs and hip-hop elements, achieving commercial success by debuting at number 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and topping the ARIA Dance and Club Charts. It has been certified 6× Platinum in Australia by ARIA (as of 2024) and amassed over 639 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[76][5] In 2017, Trumpet teamed up with Dutch duo Blasterjaxx for "Narco," released via Maxximize and Spinnin' Records, which fused big room and electro house with his signature trumpet hooks. The single peaked at number 18 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and gained viral traction through sports entrances, particularly MLB closer Edwin Díaz's walk-up theme, leading to over 106 million Spotify streams as of November 2025.[77] Trumpet's 2020 collaboration with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike on "The Anthem (Der Alte)," released through Smash The House, marked a high-energy big room return amid pandemic restrictions, sampling the 1990s classic by Rank 1. It charted on Beatport's Top 100 and contributed to Trumpet's growing festival presence. In 2022, he joined Gabry Ponte and R3HAB for "Call Me," a dance-pop track under GeKai Records that interpolated the 1980s hit by Blondie and peaked at number 25 on the UK Dance Chart while exceeding 111 million Spotify streams as of November 2025.[78] More recently, "MF Mosh Pit," a 2024 hardstyle collaboration with Sullivan King and Und3rsound via SINPHONY and Spinnin' Records, delivered aggressive drops and mosh-pit energy, aligning with Trumpet's shift toward harder genres. The track debuted at number 5 on Beatport's Hardstyle Top 10 and has garnered over 10 million streams on Spotify within its first year.[79] Among notable remixes and features, Trump's 2018 contribution to Hardwell's "The Underground" on Revealed Recordings added live trumpet to the progressive house track. In 2021, he provided a remix for Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Vini Vici's "Get in Trouble (So What)," infusing psytrance with brass elements for Smash The House. Trumpet's early EP output includes the 2013 "Snapback (Remixes)" on Hussle Recordings, featuring five remixes of his bounce track "Snapback," which helped establish his sound in the Australian scene. In 2024, he released "Timmy Trump's SINPHONY No. 2," a five-track EP on his SINPHONY label under Spinnin' Records, promoting his album cycle with genre-spanning cuts like "Safe and Sound" and tying into live residencies.[80] These EPs highlight his evolution from Melbourne bounce roots to broader electronic explorations, with collective streams surpassing 50 million on Spotify.[81]Awards and nominations
DJ Mag Top 100 DJs
Timmy Trumpet first entered the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll in 2017, debuting at position 43, a remarkable jump that highlighted his emerging presence in the electronic dance music scene through high-energy live performances incorporating his signature trumpet playing.[82] His rankings improved steadily in subsequent years, reflecting growing fan support and festival appearances; by 2019, he reached number 13, followed by top-10 entries starting in 2020 at number 10, and further ascents to number 9 in 2021 and number 8 in 2022.[83][72][35][84] These consistent high placements were driven by factors such as headline slots at major festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, which amplified his global appeal and voter engagement in the annual poll.[85] In 2023, Trumpet climbed to number 6, and he peaked at number 5 the following year before settling at number 6 in the 2025 poll.[85][41][44] His 2025 ranking was particularly attributed to his ongoing Las Vegas residency at Hakkasan Nightclub, where weekly performances drew massive crowds and showcased his explosive DJ sets fused with live trumpet solos, solidifying his status as a top EDM act.[44] Additionally, buzz around his prolific output—including the production of approximately three new albums dominated by original tracks—contributed to renewed fan excitement and poll votes.[44] The DJ Mag Top 100 rankings have had a profound impact on Trumpet's career, elevating his visibility within the EDM community and directly correlating with expanded booking opportunities at premier events worldwide.[14] His sustained top-10 presence since 2020 has not only increased international recognition but also facilitated high-profile residencies and festival headliners, transforming him from a niche performer into a global mainstay.[44]| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |