From time to time you cross paths with people who are perfect examples of “good people” and Jason Brewer is one of those kind of people.
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite players and good friend…..Jason Brewer.
Jason C. Brewer is an American trumpeter who has his own style and signature sound. He is known for playing a variety of music including gospel, jazz, Hip Hop and R&B. Brewer is at home playing anything from bop to hip hop. He started playing music in the church over 40 years ago becoming proficient on bass and drums, as well as most brass instruments. It was his time in the Honors Music program with great educators, Dr. James Bovinette, the late Robert Edwards, and the late Dr. O’Hara Spearman, that stimulated Brewer’s interest in being a professional performer. Born in E. St. Louis, IL, it was Brewer’s dream to play with world renowned educator Ronald Carter and his great Lincoln High School Jazz Band. Professor Carter took Brewer under his wing, and on several occasions, invited Brewer to play as an honorary member of the band including a performance as lead trumpet at the Chicago Jazz Festival with saxophone great, Oliver Lake, and in St. Louis with legendary trumpeter, Clark Terry, and the great Russell Gunn.
Under the tutelage of Dr. Bovinette, Brewer earned a scholarship to study with trumpet great, Fred Irby, III, Principal Trumpet and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts and Professor at Howard University In Washington, D.C. There, Brewer flourished performing all over the east coast, from New York to Florida. At Howard, Brewer played with the famed HUJE, AKA the “A Band.” Where he had the opportunity to play with colossal musicians, such as Mark Batson, Ravi Best, Chris “Daddy” Dave, and Vinny Valentino.
Due to some challenging family dynamics, Brewer left Howard University to attend The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) where he studied trumpet with Dr. Randy Grabowski and played in the award winning Jazz Band One under the direction of Dr. Robert Washut. Under Washut’s tutelage, Brewer had tremendous opportunities to grow and to perform with great musicians, such as Donald Harrison, Steve Turre, Bobby Shew, Jimmy Heath and many others. While at UNI, Brewer was honored with a prestigious award from Downbeat Magazine. Brewer received a Bachelors in Liberal Studies from UNI.
In 1995 and was featured in Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster motion picture with Meryl Streep, the Bridges of Madison County. The appearance in the movie was the result of Mr. Eastwood coming to hear Brewer play with his band featuring legendary B3 organist Sam Salomone, drummer Pete Simonson and and vocalist Janie Hooper. It was after a great performance with that group that Eastwood reaches out to Brewer about playing in the movie with the James Rivers Band.
In 1996, Brewer answered his call into the ministry. In 1999, Brewer and his wife Deanna founded the King of Kings Christian Assembly in Springfield, Illinois, where Brewer is the Senior Pastor. In 2015, Brewer Co-Founded Anchored in the King Christian Fellowship, a fellowship of churches where he serves as the Bishop.
Today, Brewer can often be heard praising God musically, with The BOC, unique Christian band that blends elements of gospel, jazz, rock, and rap. The BOC toured Canada in 2017 and 2018. Brewer also frequently plays keys and trumpet at church, and plays music of various styles at venues in St. Louis, Mo; Chicago, IL; and Springfield, IL
