Jason Crafton: trumpet, jazz studies

Jason Crafton is assistant professor of trumpet at Virginia Tech, where he teaches studio trumpet and directs both of the department's large jazz ensembles. Prior to this appointment he held positions at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, North Central Texas College, University of Northern Colorado, and in various Dallas-Fort Worth area public schools. In addition, he has presented clinics and masterclasses at the Colorado All-State Music Festival, Oklahoma State University, and University of Wyoming.

Crafton holds a doctorate in music from the University of North Texas where he was a student of Keith Johnson. He also holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and Drake University, having studied with Robert Murray and Andrew Classen. He has undertaken additional studies with Adam Gordon (baroque trumpet), John Holt and John D'Earth.

As a performer he has appeared professionally with a wide variety of ensembles, including the Roanoke Symphony, Opera Roanoke, Ashlawn Opera (VA), Shenandoah Symphony, Des Moines Metropolitan Opera, Cheyenne Symphony, Wyoming Symphony, Mannheim Steamroller, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Dallas Wind Symphony, and Dallas Opera. These experiences have been augmented by the opportunity to perform, record, and tour with the North Texas Wind Symphony and University of Northern Colorado's Jazz Lab Band One. He can be heard on numerous recordings on the Mark and GIA labels, including nearly a dozen releases by the North Texas Wind Symphony and four volumes of Teaching Music Through Performance in Band.

Crafton is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Kappa Phi academic honor societies, as well as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He also serves as an Artist/Faculty at the National Trumpet Competition as well as being is active in the International Trumpet Guild as a regular contributor to the ITG Journal and as the assistant director of the 2012 ITG Convention in Columbus, Georgia.

For more information (audio recordings, etc.) about Dr. Crafton and Virginia Tech trumpet studio please view his online Eportfolio.