John Daversa

John Daversa is a trumpeter, EVI player, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, bandleader, and educator working across small and large ensembles.

Trumpet and EVIComposer and arrangerConductorBandleader8 current shows

Photo source · Official artist media

Career Overview

About John Daversa

Daversa's official biography traces his development in Los Angeles through composition and trumpet studies, early small groups, and the Progressive Big Band founded in 1996. It also documents his parallel work on Electronic Valve Instrument, electric bass, production, and music direction.[1]

His current project guide separates the John Daversa Big Band, the John Daversa Small Band, and a duo with pianist Tal Cohen. The official recording catalog follows those formats from Junk Wagon and Kaleidoscope Eyes through American Dreamers, Cuarentena, All Without Words, and a series of recent live releases.[2][3]

Ensembles and Career Threads

Bands & Projects

Leader, conductor, composer, arranger, and trumpeter

John Daversa Big Band

Daversa's official project guide presents the big band as his large-ensemble setting for original orchestration, improvisation, and socially engaged programs.[2][3]

Leader, trumpeter, EVI player, and composer

John Daversa Small Band

The Small Band provides a flexible improvising setting distinct from Daversa's orchestral work and duo recordings.[2][3]

Co-leader and trumpeter

John Daversa and Tal Cohen

The duo project centers open conversation between Daversa's horn and Cohen's piano and is documented by The Art of Duo and live follow-ups.[2][3]

Selected, Not Exhaustive

Recordings to Know

2018

American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom

Big-band leader, conductor, arranger, and trumpeter

The official catalog identifies American Dreamers as a John Daversa Big Band release featuring young DACA artists.[1][3]

Release details

2020

Cuarentena: With Family at Home

Quintet leader, producer, and trumpeter

Cuarentena places Daversa's quintet in an original-and-traditional program of Cuban boleros made during the first pandemic year.[1][3]

Release details

2021

All Without Words: Variations Inspired by Loren

Jazz Orchestra leader and trumpet soloist

The orchestral project joins Daversa's trumpet with a Justin Morell concerto dedicated to Morell's non-speaking autistic son.[1][3]

Release details

Artist-Authorized Destinations

Start Listening

Official recording catalog

Browse Daversa's leader, co-leader, producer, ensemble, and screen recording credits with streaming destinations.

Official YouTube channel

Watch big-band, small-group, educational, and behind-the-scenes videos from Daversa's artist channel.

The Baked Potato · Los Angeles

Show details

Sources

Career copy is original synthesis from the artist, label, and project sources below. Current dates come from Jazz DateBook event inventory.

[1] Official biography and career chronology
John Daversa
[2] Official current project guide
John Daversa
[3] Official leader and extended discography
John Daversa