Jason Arce Quartet July 24, 2010

Jason Arce is a saxophonist/composer/educator who currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. Jason received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree from New York University, where he is currently a member of the adjunct faculty. He is a two-time recipient of the Joe Kennedy Jr. Jazz Scholarship and many VCU scholarships. He performs actively throughout New York City and the East Coast. In June of 2008 he brought his quintet into the studio to record their debut CD “Simplicity.” The CD features nine of Arce’s original tunes. “Simplicity” is now available through Plan9, Itunes, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody, and eMusic. Jason Arce was born July 18th, 1984 in East Hartford, CT. Jason moved to Virginia Beach at the age of 5. He always showed an interest in the arts and in music. At the age of 10 he began singing in chorus and by the age of 12 he started playing alto and baritone saxophone. In high school Jason gravitated towards the tenor and soprano saxophones. Upon entering Virginia Commonwealth University he decided he was going to commit himself to becoming a professional musician. By the time he was a junior at VCU he was teaching privately and appearing as a guest artist/clinician at the middle and high school levels. Before graduating from VCU he was teaching for the YMCA of Greater Richmond, Metro Sound, Artesian Entertainment Group, and the Richmond Preparatory Christian Academy. He was blessed with the opportunity to study and perform with John Scofield, Brian Lynch, Steve Wilson, Seamus Blake, James Moody, Wycliffe Gordon, Scott Colley, Ralph AlessiHoward Curtis, Gary Smulyan, John D’Earth, Rex Richardson, George “Skip” Gailes, JC Kuhl, Brian Jones, Marty Nau, and composition/arranging with Doug Richards.