Jason Palmer: "A New Breed"

AllMusic characterizes the trumpeter Jason Palmer as an "intelligent, highly adept improviser," and counts him among "a new breed of 21st century jazz musicians...who set their egos aside and take a thoughtful, intellectual, and technically adept approach to the music."Born and raised in High Point, North Carolina, Jason has been a Boston resident for years, and has made numerous contributions to the vitality of the local scene. Every weekend for over a decade, Jason has led the house band at Wally’s Jazz Cafe. He also maintains teaching positions at Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and The Mission Hill School, and serves on the board of JazzBoston. The Boston Phoenix recognized the importance of his presence by nominating his group for “Best Jazz Act” in 2011.However, Jason’s impact in Boston has not come at the expense of international attention. The trumpeter has performed and/or recorded with some of the most acclaimed artists in the music, including Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Common, and Ravi Coltrane, among numerous others. Jason was a member of Greg Osby‘s touring group from 2004-2006, and recently became the first trumpeter ever to be hired by Kurt Rosenwinkel. In 2007, DownBeat named him as one of “Top 25 Trumpeters of the Future,” and in 2009, he took home the $10,000 first prize in the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition.More recently, Jason toured with the Grace Kelly Quintet and The Miles Davis Experience 1949-1959 (a collaboration with Blue Note Records), and completed a weeklong residency with an augmented seven-piece version of the trio FLY. He also released his fourth album as a leader, Take A Little Trip: Jason Palmer Plays Minnie Riperton (SteepleChase), featuring the guitarist Greg Duncan, the pianist Jake Sherman, the bassist Edward Perez, and the drummer Lee Fish. A man of many talents, Jason made his acting debut in the 2010 film, Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. Read a review from NPR, who praises Jason’s for “an assured film debut,” and watch a clip featuring Jason here.This Saturday night, Jason makes his first appearance at our new home with a group featuring the saxophonists Mark Shim and Godwin Louis, the guitarist Mike Moreno, the pianist Leo Genovese, the bassist Edward Perez, and the drummer EJ Strickland.Watch a video of Jason's band performing "Velvet Hammer" live at The Jazz Gallery last year.