Ponomarev is a Russian-born jazz trumpeter who worked with Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, performing at major concert halls, clubs and and festivals all over the world. He recorded eleven record albums with the Messengers, made numerous television appearances. He performed at the Clifford Brown Memorial Concert in Wilmington, Delaware, 1991, which featured the music of the legendary Max Roach/Clifford Brown Quintet; he was a member of the memorial "Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers" band led by Mr. Golson; and he was featured as a European superstar at the Charlie Parker in Paris Festival.