Jazzmatazz- Jason Bellenkes
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JASON BELLENKES
ALTO/TENOR SAXOPHONE and CLARINET


Since the age of nine, Jason Bellenkes has been playing reed instruments. He honed his saxophone skills by performing at his school concert and jazz bands in his hometown of Los Gatos, California. During his childhood, Jason's uncle introduced him to jazz and blues, and helped him to develop an album collection of greats such as Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane and Sonny Stitt . After getting private lessons by local San Jose teacher Fred Rast, at the age of fifteen, Jason grew in his musical confidence. He began playing with local big bands and jazz combos, getting his first professional show performing. Bellenkes later earned his music performance degree from California State University, East Bay, and studied under saxophone instructor Dan Zinn and clarinetist William Wohlmacher. During and ever since his college years, Jason has played in a variety of bands—ranging from jazz to “Top 40 Rock/Pop/R&B” to Original Rock. Some of the more reputable bands he has perfomed include JP and the Rhythm Chasers, A Touch of Class Band, The JC Smith Band, the Vern Brooks Latin Jazz Orchestra, the HITWAVES variety band and the Laurent Fourgo Jazz ensemble. He has performed at countless Bay Area jazz clubs, restaurants, music festivals, weddings and corporate events. When he is not performing, Bellenkes teaches a full studio of private saxophone and clarinet lessons in Fremont, California. Jason joined Jazzmatazz in July, 2012 to complete Jazzmatazz's authentic, classic Jazz sound. He is excited and looks forward to continuing his committment to Jazzmatazz and the people it serves.

EQUIPMENT:
SELMER MARK VI ALTO AND TENOR SAXOPHONE, BUFFET R 13 CLARINET

OCCUPATION: PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN, SAXOPHONE INSTRUCTOR

MAJOR INFLUENCES:
STAN GETZ, JOHN COLTRANE, SONNY ROLLINS
See New Jazzmatazz website https://www.jazzmatazz.org