Jason Parra

Member Since: 2008 | Location: Boise | Page Views: 4,207

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About Me

Professional jazz musician, trumpet player with a successful solo release.

Trumpet player Jason Parra is a successful solo artist, with a very diverse musical background. He first played the instrument as a sophomore in high school, several years later than most of his peers. From the beginning, Parra demonstrated an uncanny musical ability, and was a natural on the horn. It was only two years later that Jason won the overall competition for outstanding soloist at the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The very same year he auditioned for the prestigious McDonalds All American HS Jazz Band; and from the top 20 players in the nation, Jason was selected for the group. Parra has a formal education in classical performance, education, jazz theory and arrangement. He has studied with Bob McCurdy, Paul Mazzio, Marsalis Brown, Brent Jenson and Dick Shearer of the Stan Kenton Orchestra. After college, Jason hit the thriving music scenes of Seattle, Portland and New York City. He quickly became a respected jazz and lead player, performing in several big band, rock, funk and jazz groups, and as a studio session player. Parra worked the recording, and commercial industry as well, and has countless album credits as a composer, singer, player, writer, and arranger. Early in his pro career, Parra became the lead singer for a popular Seattle R&B group; and he is often known not only as a trumpeter, but a powerful singer, with a unique and soulful voice. He has performed or toured with over a dozen Grammy Award winning artists. A short list include Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Arturo Sandoval, the James Brown Band, Gene Harris, Billy Cobham, Dave Weckl, Bob Mitzner, Don Menza, Lionel Hampton, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Lew Solaff, Red Rodney and many others