Jason Parra
Jason Parra picked up the trumpet at the age of three; it was his father Julian’s. It was twelve years later that he would start playing the instrument in High School. It was a bit odd that Jason chose football, wrestling and track over the trumpet given that his mother and father met each other while playing in the Boise High School Band (trumpet and trombone) in Jason’s hometown of Boise, Idaho. He was a natural on the horn and after only two years of playing was the principal player in all state, all- northwest and accepted into the prestigious McDonalds All American Band and Jazz Band. As a senior he received a new trumpet for winning the solo competition at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Hampton invited Parra to perform with him and his New York City Big Band during the Festivals closing performance. Jason didn’t disappoint, and after a scorching improv solo he brought the crowd to its feet for a five minute standing ovation. Afterwards Hampton called the performance outstanding, he’s a remarkable player.
Jason went on to attend two Universities and eventually finished his studies under Dick Shear (Stan Kenton Orchestra) and noted arranger Dave Barduhn. Parra then formed and started playing with several groups from jazz quartets to funk and rock bands. His first big break was to join Actor Bruce Willis’s blues band the L.A. Accelerators. He later moved to New York City where several opportunities as a writer, studio session player and touring performer presented themselves.
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A talented studio musician and songwriter, Jason has also found time to tour with Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Arturo Sandoval, Lionel Hampton, The James Brown Band and Gene Harris.The second cut, the tight and funky ‘Agumala' with Parra's classy muted trumpet to the fore, is just as good and ‘Wish You Were Here' is quite simply the best track on the album....
Jason Parra's album Two Reasons has certainly more than just two reasons to buy it.It offers a large range of diverse styles for a broad audience; I know this will make the album tremendously popular.Review by HBH of www.smooth-jazz.de Germany's #1 jazz destination.
Brian Soergel- www.smoothjazz.com-Americas #1 Site for smooth jazz What were listening to now-June-Jason Parra & the X Factor, Two Reasons:Smooth jazz trumpet music straight out of Boise, Idaho; Building on funk and R&B influences, Parra delivers a grooving set that recalls Rick Braun, especially on Aguamala and What Goes Around.
Jason Parra & the X Factor-TWO REASONS - The Idaho Statesman
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