This week, Ira spoke with San Francisco based saxophonist, composer, recording artist, and educator Jason Hainsworth, performing with his quintet at Vics Las Vegas (August 2-3 at 7 and 8:30.) In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Jason talks about the “efficient” reason why he started playing the saxophone; how he became a band “nerd”; how he started to listen to more jazz music; learning “tricks of the trade”; the influence of legendary jazz educator Ellis Marsalis and saxophonist Victor Goines; the camaraderie of jazz musicians; balancing between performing and musical education; his role as a teacher; working hard but still having fun; how performing jazz is “crafted chaos”; and the “Great American Songbook” is part of the DNA of jazz.
Jason Hainsworth is in demand both as a saxophonist and as a composer/arranger. As a native of Houston, Texas, he studied at the prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He later went on to study music at the University of New Orleans with legendary jazz educator Ellis Marsalis and saxophonist Victor Goines. Jason then moved to the New York/ New Jersey area to continue his musical studies at William Paterson University while performing along the east coast. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in music, he matriculated at Florida State University for graduate work where he earned his Masters degree in Jazz Studies.
As a performer, Jason has led his own quartet throughout the world to critical acclaim, most recently headlining the Suriname Jazz Festival. He has also performed and recorded with Michael Dease, Johnathan Blake, Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker, Lewis Nash, Glenn Zaleski, Tim Warfield, and Martin Bejerano just to name a few. Additionally, he is a current touring member of Ed Calle’s Mamblue (2016 Latin Grammy Winner), Tito Puente Jr’s. Latin Jazz All Stars, and Melton Mustafa Jazz Orchestra. Jason has performed extensively throughout the United States and South America.
As a composer/ arranger, Jason’s works have been performed throughout the country at various high school and university jazz festivals such as Oklahoma State University, Louisiana State University, University of Iowa, Jacksonville State University, and Florida A&M University. His first vocal arrangement was premiered last spring at the Florida Music Educators Conference by the Dillard Center for the Arts Vocal Ensemble. Jason has received commissions to arrange music for Jimmy Cobb, Russell Malone, Tim Warfield, and many others. His debut album, Kaleidoscope, features original compositions and arrangements for big bands with the likes of Tanya Darby, Linda Oh, Claudio Roditi, and Michael Dease as soloists. His latest album, Third Ward Stories, is scheduled for release this fall on Origin Records and will feature jazz heavyweights Michael Dease, Josh Evans, Johnathan Blake to name a few.
Jason serves as Assistant Director of the Roots, Jazz, and American Music (RJAM) program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
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