Jason Klobnak Music
– J’s Ruckus
– JKQ
– Musician, Author, & Educator
Jason Klobnak
Jason Klobnak is a versatile trumpet player that has been performing as an active musician, author, clinician, composer and educator. His band, J’s Ruckus, is Denver’s blend of Post-Bop, Soul, Gospel, and Hip-Hop. They perform infectious and up-lifting originals for audiences hungry for a memorable live experience.
Mr. Klobnak is a B.A.C. (Best American Craftsman-custom trumpet), Denis Wick (mouthpiece and mutes) and Westone Audio endorsed artist (ES20 and Tru Customs). Mr. Klobnak has played and recorded for numerous groups ranging from jazz, soul/R&B, indie-rock/pop and gospel.
Iason Klobnak is the Music Program Chair at Arapahoe Community College and the author of the ‘Targeting’ jazz improvisation series. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.
For booking or other inquiries:
jason@jasonklobnak
+1 (303) 829-1923
J’s Ruckus
If you would like more info on J’s Ruckus you should visit our full site at J’sRuckus.com. We recently released their latest 3-song EP called The Quarantined Sessions. Recorded remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic when musicians worldwide were forced to create while practicing social distancing. It features guest musicians Christopher Bill (trombone) and Kevin Supina (Envy Alo) along with J’s Ruckus that recorded each part remotely from their homes.
Prior to that, their albums , Suck Less (March of 2020) and their first EP, Sermons (July of 2019) were recorded live in front of an audience. Suck Less was recorded to a packed auditorium at Arapahoe Community College’s Waring Theater in Littleton, CO. Sermons was recorded in front of a sold out crowd at the Soiled Dove Underground.
JKQ
The JKQ (the Jason Klobnak Quintet/Quartet) is Mr. Klobnak’s Hammond B-3 centered groups. The JKQ released their third full-length album in March of 2018 called Friends & Family. It has been very well reviewed, on numerous Top 10 lists for Jazz radio stations across the country (including Denver’s KUVO 89.3FM which named it May 2018’s CD of the month), and in Jazzweek’s Top 100. Each composition was written for specific family and close friends (that might as well be family).
Their second album, New Chapter, was recorded in part thanks to the Pathways to Jazz Grant from the Boulder County Arts Alliance. In 2015 and 2016, New Chapter was in the Top 75 on the Jazzweek charts and on the Top 10 playlists for over a dozen radio stations worldwide. Their first album, Mountain, Move made the Best Recordings of 2013 list from AllAboutJazz.com by C. Michael Bailey. His very well reviewed Christmas single, Hark the Herald, in 2016 as part of a creative project with musicians James Roberson and Nathaniel Kearney Jr.
-
How Denver Area High Schoolers Can Earn College Music Credits Early
For many Denver families, the excitement of a student pursuing a music career is often met with a side of “financial anxiety.” The cost of higher education is a significant hurdle, but there is a powerful way to clear it: Dual Enrollment. Quick Answer: How to Earn College Music Credits in High School Denver high schoolers…
-
The Targeting Encyclopedia: A Glossary of Jazz Targeting Terms
Welcome to the definitive glossary of jazz targeting concepts – curated and defined by Jason Klobnak. Whether you’re a developing improviser or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your harmonic vocabulary, these entries break down the core ideas behind the Targeting approach to jazz improvisation. Bookmark this page and return often – it grows with you. Chromatic…
-
3 Common Mistakes in Jazz Improvisation
3 Common Mistakes in Jazz Improvisation In this post, we’re going to talk about 3 common mistakes in Jazz improvisation. These are some of the pitfalls that improvisers often fall into when they’re learning how to solo. By understanding these mistakes and how to avoid them, you’ll be able to improve your jazz improvisation skills….
-
How to Use Jazz Improvisation to Improve Communication Skills In Teenagers
How to Use Jazz Improvisation to Improve Communication Skills In Teenagers As a high school student or even a band director, you might be looking for ways to improve your improvisation and communication skills for yourself or your students. You might think that jazz improvisation isn’t the right place to start, but it’s one of…
-
A Modern Jazz Trumpet Practice Routine & Play Along
A Modern Jazz Practice Routine & Play – Along You need to work on technique, but are bored with the same routine? One of the benefits I have found while working on my undergraduate degree was being able to play a Bill Adam styled trumpet routine with another trumpet player. This allowed us to rest…
-
Visualizing the Pentatonic and Targets
2022 Update – It’s been years since I’ve done the Improvisation Thursday Facebook Live. It’s had a number of variations (i.e. YouTube’s Lick of the Day, What To Do With These Licks, etc.). You can still view the videos, but if you’d like the most up-to-date info; I would invite you to visit my online…
Jason Klobnak is the Music Program Chair at Arapahoe Community College and the author of the ‘Targeting’ jazz improvisation series. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.