Jason Jenkins’s jazz background was founded at early age listening to his father’s 50s and 60s classics and later sparked by the usage of jazz riffs in 90s hip hop. After studying with various skilled and passionate teachers, Jason took to performance, educating and composition.
Born, October 1, 1973, and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Jason played various instruments in school ensembles and after graduating from Huguenot High, decided to major in music at Hampton University. While at Hampton, Jason met many good young aspiring musicians from more traditional jazz cities and took a liking to the musical language that they spoke. During his sophomore year he began study with master bassist Eddie Edwards who taught Jason instrument maintenance and professional music etiquette. Also at Hampton Jason received many awards including outstanding soloist at the Down Beat Magazine College Jazz Band Festival.
After college, Jason put in side work with many of Virginia’s finest jazz musicians and was bassist for Flutist Walter Bell. Jason also has accompanied notables such as Rene Marie, Chris Calloway, Howard Levy and Frankie Avalon. The Jason Jenkins Trio and The Jason Jenkins Quartet have played in many venues up and down the east coast and have enjoyed residencies at many Richmond spots such as The Fan Bar & Grill, The Tobacco Company Restaurant, Honey White’s and most recently Gloebhopper Coffee House & Lounge.
In 2007, his debut CD as a leader, Urban Vernacular, was released and quickly found air time on many straight-ahead jazz radio shows across the country. The entire project was all original and gave the group a true identity. Jason followed up Urban Vernacular with a sophomore recording titled Just Hearsay. This CD was a mixture of originals, standards, bossa novas and vocals. In 2009, the latest effort was released, Synchronicity, which is a hard hitting five song output which features, Toru Dodo, Billy Williams, James Gates, Kevin Simpson and Duane Smith. Jason’s music and compositions can be heard on his website www.jenkinsmusik.com and on many commercials, independent film soundtracks and most of the major internet music sites such as Itunes, Amazon & Rhapsody.
In addition to performing, Jason has maintained a studio of between 10-20 piano and bass students. Several students have gone on to major in music in college and have started out on their own musical journeys.
The Jason Jenkins Group is available for concerts, weddings, fundraisers and commercial work.
Read more...