A true guitar chameleon and newcomer to the CT scene, Jason plays a spectacular blend of flamenco and rock, Imagine Paco De Lucia meets Yngwie Malmsteen. He has worked with Carlos Santana and Al De Meola.
Beginning his career as a session player when he was just a teenager, guitarist Jason Jenkins has gone on to work with many notable artists including, Carlos Santana, Al Di Meola, Corey Glover, Frankie Negron, actress/singer Jamie-Lynn Sigler, amongst others.
As a child, Jason was often exposed to many different styles of music, but it was flamenco that left an indelible mark on the aspiring young guitarist. He became enamored with the sound of the nylon-stringed Spanish guitar after hearing the virtuoso guitarist, Paco De Lucia, and began to study it on his own and eventually with acclaimed classical/flamenco guitarist Dennis Koster in New York.
Soon after, he discovered the hard rock and heavy metal sounds of Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Yngwie Malmsteen, which turned the young guitarist on to the electric guitar and it’s possibilities. This in turn led him to seek out progressive rock/metal bands and eventually progressive fusion jazz groups.
“Flamenco had the biggest effect on me, and the sound of the heavy metal guitar intrigued me. Other types of music such as classical, Latin and fusion jazz also inspired me. So, I wrote and played things fusing the different styles I knew.” This set him apart with a truly unique style. He adds, “My music is only a result of who I am and where I’ve been. My parents are from Costa Rica with roots from England and Spain, and I grew up in New York City around the many different music scenes.”
Renowned for his virtuosity, feeling and chameleon-like abilities, on either the acoustic or electric guitar, Jason can perform flamenco and classical with passion and elegance; heavy metal with power; fusion jazz with sophistication; and pop with simplicity. He is currently working on a full-length solo recording which will showcase not only his spectacular playing abilities, but also his keen compositional sense and creative arrangements.
While not on tour, Jason performs around the Connecticut/New York scene mesmerizing audiences all over as an acoustic soloist. He also performs with vocalist, Vanjo, as DYAD featuring classic to modern rock; with master percussionist, Perdomo, presenting flamenco & world music as Duo Flamenco; a combination of the two duos, with his vocalist and percussionist as Trine; or with his new electric quartet TETRA performing classic to modern rock, heavy
