Trumpeter Jason Palmer is slowly becoming one of the most in demand jazz musicians of his generation. He has shared the stage with icons such as Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith (the organist), Wynton Marsalis, Greg Osby (quintet member 2004-2006), Kurt Rosenwinkel (first trumpeter to ever be hired by this highly acclaimed guitarist), Ravi Coltrane, Geri Allen, Patrice Rushen, Clarence Penn, Common (hip-hop icon), Roy Hargrove, Billy Pierce, etc. The June 2007 issue of Downbeat Magazine cited Jason as one of the “Top 25 trumpeters of the Future”. His debut recording entitled “Songbook” (Ayva Musica) features nine original compositions and includes guest saxophonists Ravi Coltrane and Greg Osby. The record garnered rave reviews upon its’ release and appeared on several “Best of 2008” lists including All Music Guide’s list for best jazz album. Jason was a member of Greg Osby’s quintet from 2004-2006 which performed at major jazz festivals in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, France, Malta, Netherlands, as well as two stints at the Village Vanguard in New York City. Jason is currently a member of Grace Kelly’s Quintet and Matana Robert’s Mississippi Moonchile, performing at major jazz festivals in Sicily, Germany, Finland, Croatia, Serbia, Bratislava, Canada, as well as the Freihofer Jazz Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY, clubs in NYC such as the Knitting Factory, Dizzy’s, Rose Hall at Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Jazz Bakery (L.A.), Sculler’s Jazz Club and Regattabar (MA), and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday (FL). In September of 2009 Jason completed a 4-week 24-date extensive tour of the UK in support of UK bassist Michael Janisch’s debut album entitled Purpose Built, which also features Jason Palmer’s trumpet work.
Jason’s quintet has been serving as the house band at Boston’s historical Wally’s Jazz Café for the past nine years. He has also presented his band at the Tanglewood Jazz Fest, the Jazz Standard and the Jazz Gallery in NYC, the Studio in Hartford Ct, as well as other venues throughout New England. In 2007, Jason Palmer was commissioned by the Festival of New Trumpet Music in NYC to premier a new work for his quintet.
In addition to maintaining a heavy performing schedule, Jason Palmer continues to maintain a busy schedule as an educator/actor/board member at JazzBoston. At a time when many music educators in the Boston area are commuting from New York City, Jason commuted from Boston to New York City to serve on the faculty at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in the fall of 2008. Jason has taught trumpet and directed ensembles in the Preparatory Division and the School for Continuing Education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston for the past ten years and is teaching at the Mission Hill School for the past five years. He is also a faculty member at the Aquinas College Jazz Camp (Grand Rapids, MI, 2004-present) and has given masterclasses in Portugal, the UK, and Mexico. Jason was the leading actor in director Damien Chazelle’s Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. The movie received great reviews after premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009. Since then the film is screening at film festivals in Greece, Bratislava, Martha’s Vineyard (MA), Houston (TX), Denver (CO), Seattle (WA), Los Angeles (CA), Calgary (Canada), Minneapolis (MN), Mill Valley (CA).
