John Daversa is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

trumpeter, electronic valve instrument (EVI) player, composer, arranger, conductor, bandleader, producer and educator.

Early life

Daversa is the son of Jay Daversa, trumpeter for Stan Kenton and Los Angeles studio musician, and Mary Ann Daversa, music educator and pianist. He was born in Los Angeles and moved to Ada, Oklahoma at age 7. He also lived in Las Vegas and Sacramento before returning to Los Angeles for high school at Hamilton Academy of Music.

Career

Daversa has degrees from UCLA, California Institute of the Arts, and a doctorate from USC. He is Chair of Studio Music and Jazz at University of Miami,

Frost School of Music Frost School of Music is the music school at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. From 1926 to 2003, it was known as University of Miami School of Music. Academics and programs The University of Miami's Frost School of Music was on ...

and directs the Frost Concert Jazz Band. Before this appointment, he taught the Jazz Studies Program at

California State University, Northridge California State University, Northridge (CSUN or Cal State Northridge) is a public university in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. With a total enrollment of 38,551 students (as of Fall 2021), it has the second largest un ...

. He regularly performs with the John Daversa Progressive Big Band, John Daversa Small Band, and is a guest conductor and soloist all over the world. Daversa has worked with Moonchild,

Fiona Apple Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart (born September 13, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter. She has released five albums from 1996 to 2020, which have all reached the top 20 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 chart. Apple has received numerous awards an ...

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Andraé Crouch Andraé Edward Crouch (July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. Referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and gospel music profess ...

, Gin,

Herbie Hancock Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer. Hancock started his career with trumpeter Donald Byrd's group. He shortly thereafter joined the Miles Davis Quintet, where he help ...

, Holiday on Ice,

Bob Mintzer Robert Alan Mintzer (born January 27, 1953) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader. Early life Mintzer was born and raised in a Jewish family in New Rochelle, New York, on January 27, 1953. He attended the Inter ...

Big Band,

Renee Olstead Renee Olstead (born June 18, 1989) is an American actress and singer. Active since childhood as an actress, she is best known for her roles on the CBS sitcom '' Still Standing'' and on the ABC Family drama ''The Secret Life of the American Teenag ...

, Regina Spektor,

Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...

, and

The Yellowjackets Yellowjackets is an American jazz fusion band founded in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. History In 1977, guitarist Robben Ford, for his first solo album, recruited keyboardist Russell Ferrante, electric bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Rick ...

. His playing has been featured on film and television, including ''

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'', ''

Key and Peele ''Key & Peele'' (abbreviated to ''K&P'') is an American sketch comedy television series created by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele for Comedy Central. Both Key and Peele previously worked on ''Mad TV.'' Each episode of the show consists ...

'', '' The King of Queens'', and ''

Promised Land The Promised Land ( he, הארץ המובטחת, translit.: ''ha'aretz hamuvtakhat''; ar, أرض الميعاد, translit.: ''ard al-mi'ad; also known as "The Land of Milk and Honey"'') is the land which, according to the Tanakh (the Hebrew ...

''. His album '' American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom'' (BFM Jazz, 2018) won three

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

at the

61st Annual Grammy Awards The 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on February 10, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys hosted. During her opening monologue, Keys brought out Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and fo ...

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album The Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album has been presented since 1961. From 1962 to 1971 and 1979 to 1991 the award title specified instrumental performances. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works ...

, " Don't Fence Me In" won in the

Best Improvised Jazz Solo The Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo has been awarded since 1959. Before 1979 the award title did not specify instrumental performances and was presented for instrumental or vocal performances. The award has had several minor name change ...

category, and " Stars and Stripes Forever" won in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category.

Discography

As leader or co-leader

* ''All Without Words: Variations Inspired by Loren'', John Daversa Jazz Orchestra featuring Justin Morell, 2021 * ''Cuarentena: With Family at Home'', John Daversa Quintet, ''Cuarentena: With Family at Home'', 2020 * '' American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom,'' John Daversa Big Band featuring DACA Artists'','' 2018 * ''Wobbly Dance Flower,'' John Daversa featuring Bob Mintzer'','' 2017 * '' Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of the Beatles,'' John Daversa'','' 2016 * ''Artful Joy,'' John Daversa'','' 2012 * ''Junk Wagon: The Big Band Album,'' John Daversa, 2011 * ''Shogun Warrior, Plays for Lovers,'' Shogun Warrior'','' 2010 * ''Westland,'' Westland Trio'','' 2010 * ''Live at Catalina’s, (Vol. I),'' John Daversa Big Band'','' 2009 (Recorded live in 2000) * ''Live at Catalina’s, Vol. II,'' John Daversa Big Band'','' 2000 * ''The D.a.M. Band,'' The Daversa and Morell Band'','' 1994

As producer or co-producer

* ''Swing States: Harmony in the Battleground (Feat. Jon Batiste, John Daversa, and Harvey Mason)''

Regina Carter Regina Carter (born August 6, 1966) is an American jazz violinist. She is the cousin of jazz saxophonist James Carter. Early life Carter was born in Detroit and was one of three children in her family. She began piano lessons at the age of t ...

Freedom Band, 2020 * ''Shoulder to Shoulder: Centennial Tribute to Women’s Suffrage,''

Karrin Allyson Karrin Allyson (pronounced ''KAR-in''; born Karrin Allyson Schoonover on July 27, 1963) is an American jazz vocalist. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the ' ...

Sextet'','' 2019 * ''Justin Morell Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra (feat. Adam Rogers),'' Frost Concert Jazz Band, Conducted by John Daversa'','' 2018 * ''Transcendence,'' Trinity Devi'','' 2018 * ''Europa: Explorations for Large Jazz Ensemble'', Frost Concert Jazz Band, Conducted by John Daversa, 2017 * ''Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of the Beatles,'' John Daversa'','' 2016 * ''Harmony – Venus Gong,'' Trinity Devi'','' 2015 * ''Oneness – Ek Ong Kar Gong,'' Trinity Devi'','' 2015 * ''Focus,'' Kendall Moore'','' 2014 * ''El Guapo,'' Scott Jeppesen'','' 2013 * ''Love for Sale,'' James Tormé'','' 2011 * ''Live at Catalina’s, (Vol. I),'' John Daversa Big Band'','' 2009 (Recorded live in 2000) * ''Buck’s Vibe,'' Peter Buck'','' 2008 * ''Time for Christmas,'' Phil Crosby, Jr.'','' 2007 * ''Live at Catalina’s, Vol. II,'' John Daversa Big Band'','' 2000

As band-member

* ''Come Fly With Me (Single),'' Ledisi,

Gregg Field Gregg Field (born February 21, 1956) is an American record producer and musician, who has worked with many well-known artists. He is a recipient of multiple Grammy and Emmy awards. Early life Field was born in Castro Valley, California, United ...

, John Daversa,

Patti Austin Patti Austin (born August 10, 1950) is an American R&B, pop, and jazz singer and songwriter. Music career Austin was born in Harlem, New York, to Gordon Austin, a jazz trombonist. She was raised in Bay Shore, New York on Long Island. Quincy ...

Randy Waldman Randy Waldman (born September 8, 1955, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American pianist, arranger, composer, and conductor. In 2019, Waldman's arrangement of the " Spider-Man Theme" on his ''Superheroes'' album garnered the Grammy Award f ...

, Willie Murillo,

Jeff Driskill Jeff Driskill is a former American football coach. He served as the second head football coach at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri Saint Charles (commonly abbreviated St. Charles) is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles ...

, Erik Hughes, and Kate Duhamel'','' 2021 * ''LowJacked,'' Jackson 6'','' 2021 * ''Cheap Thrill: The Music of Rick Margitza (feat. Chuck Bergeron),'' South Florida Jazz Orchestra'','' 2020 * ''Swing States: Harmony in the Battleground (Feat. Jon Batiste, John Daversa, and Harvey Mason)'' Regina Carter Freedom Band, 2020 * ''Ahreum Ash Hanyou,'' Ahreum Ash Hanyou'','' 2018 * ''BACHanalia,''

Bill Cunliffe William Henry Cunliffe Jr. (born June 26, 1956), is an American jazz pianist and composer. Early life Cunliffe was born in Andover, Massachusetts. He discovered music at an early age, with particular emphasis on classical music as well as jaz ...

'','' 2017 * ''Life,'' MSM Schmidt (featuring Virgil Donati, Jimmy Haslip, Scott Kinsey, Mike Miller, Oz Noy)'','' 2017 * ''Come to Paradise,'' Suzanne Dean, 2016 * ''The Deadbeats,'' The Deadbeats'','' 2016 * ''Inner Circle,'' Zach Larmer Band'','' 2016 * ''Metamorphasis,'' Leon Foster Thomas'','' 2016 * ''Pelos Ares,'' Rafael Piccolotto de Lima, Orquestra Urbana'','' 2016 * ''Get Up!,''

Big Band'','' 2015 * ''Self Taught,'' Brandon Coleman'','' 2015 * ''Exploring Mars,'' Josh Nelson'','' 2014 * ''Original Cities Original Jazz and Chamber Music,'' Mitch Haupers'','' 2014 * ''A Perfect Contradiction,'' Paloma Faith'','' 2014 * ''Come Over,'' Gina Kronstadt'',''2013 * ''Dectet: Subjects and Compliments,'' Justin Morell'','' 2013 * ''HighJacked,'' Jackson 6'','' 2013 * ''Storyteller,'' Nick Mancini'','' 2013 * ''Be Free,'' Moonchild'','' 2012 * ''Blujanova,'' Jeff Saxon'','' 2012 * ''Critics’ Choices and other Voices,'' Jazziz on Disc'','' 2012 * ''Fire It Up,'' Joe Cocker'','' 2012 * ''Jimmy Branly,'' Jimmy Branly (featuring Abraham Laboriel and Otmaro Ruiz)'','' 2012 * ''Mountain Suite,'' Kait Dunton'','' 2012 * ''Psychobabble,'' Nick Mancini'','' 2012 * ''Rozalia,'' Nikos Syropoulos'','' 2012 * ''Tales from The Blue Whale,'' Endermen'','' 2012 * ''What We Saw from the Cheap Seats,'' Regina Spektor'','' 2012 * ''Blue Collection,'' Ladybug Music'','' 2011 * ''Green Collection,'' Ladybug Music'','' 2011 * ''The Journey,'' Andrae Crouch'','' 2011 * ''Purple Collection,'' Ladybug Music'','' 2011 * ''Timeline,'' Yellowjackets'','' 2011 * ''A-Me,'' Hire Sekine'','' 2010 * ''Numbers,'' Jay Daversa'','' 2010 * ''Red Collection,'' Ladybug Music'','' 2010 * ''Yellow Collection,'' Ladybug Music'','' 2010 * ''Holy Smoke,'' Gin Wigmore'','' 2009 * ''Pin Points and Gin Joints,'' The Mightly Mightly Bosstones'','' 2009 * ''The Roads We’ve Taken,'' International Trumpet Guild'','' 2009 * ''For My Lady,'' Sherman Pore'','' 2007 * ''Lamplighter,'' Eleisha Eagle'','' 2007 * ''Live at Café Metropole,'' Kim Richmond'','' 2007 * ''Soul Sistah,'' Marva King'','' 2006 * ''At This Time,''

'','' 2005 * ''Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition (1993 – 2003),'' International Trumpet Guild'','' 2005 * ''Extraordinary Machine,'' Fiona Apple'','' 2005 * ''Broject,'' Jeff Babko feat. Toss Panos'','' 2004 * ''The End of Imagining,'' The Space Twins'','' 2003 * ''The Music of Steely Dan,'' Justin Morell'','' 2002 * ''Septet,'' Justin Morell'','' 2000 * ''Misfits of Silence,'' Jeff Babko'','' 1998 * ''Variety Arts Center – Los Angeles,'' Progfest ’94'','' 1995

Awards

* Philip Frost Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship, 2020 * Proclamation “John Daversa Day”, The City of

Miami Beach Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on natural and man-made barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter of which sep ...

, February 23, 2020 * Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble, American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom, John Daversa Big Band Featuring DACA Artists, 2019 * Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella, "Stars and Stripes Forever”, 2019 * Grammy Award for Best Improvised Solo "Don’t Fence Me In”, 2019 * Grammy Nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, John Daversa, 2017 * Grammy Nomination for Best Arrangement Instrumental, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", 2017 * Grammy Nomination Best Arrangement Vocals or Acapella "Do You Want To Know A Secret" featuring Renee Olstead, 2017 * Global Music Awards Gold Medal Winner, Large Jazz Ensemble, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, 2016 * Global Music Awards Gold Medal Winner, Composition/Composer, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, 2016 * Global Music Awards Gold Medal Winner, Band, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, 2016 * Global Music Awards Gold Medal Winner, Album, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, 2016 * Global Music Awards Gold Medal Winner, Innovation In Sound, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, 2016 * Global Music Awards Gold Medal Winner, Sound Mixing/Editing, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Music of The Beatles, 2016 * IAMA Songwriting Award, "Little Black Spider", 2012 * Global Music Awards, Best in Show, Junk Wagon: The Big Band Album, 2011 * Global Music Awards, Awards of Excellence for Creativity/Originality, Junk Wagon: The Big Band Album, 2011 * Global Music Awards, Awards of Excellence for Album Production, Junk Wagon: The Big Band Album, 2011 * Mellon Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Nomination, University of Southern California, 2010 * Jazz Studies Department Award, University of Southern California, 2009 * Semi-Finalist,

Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is a non-profit music education organization founded in 1986. Before 2019, it was known as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, but was then renamed after its longtime board chairman, Herbie Hancock. The in ...

, Jazz Trumpet Competition, 1998 * Second,

International Trumpet Guild The International Trumpet Guild (ITG) is an international organization of trumpet players. Members include professional and amateur performers, teachers, students, manufacturers, publishers, and others interested in the trumpet. ITG is a nonprof ...

Carmine Caruso Jazz Soloist Competition, 1998 * Winner, International Trumpet Guild Jazz Soloist Competition, 1994 * Winner,

National Trumpet Competition The National Trumpet Competition is an annual music competition for students in the US that usually takes place in mid-March. It includes classical and jazz divisions at school through college levels for soloists and ensembles. The competition was f ...

, 1993 * Performance Award, Herb Alpert Award 1991 * Performance Award, Italian Heritage Award 1991

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Daversa, John American jazz trumpeters American male trumpeters Living people People from Canoga Park, Los Angeles Grammy Award winners 21st-century trumpeters 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians 1972 births