January 02, 1968

Jason Olaine was born on Jan. 2, 1968.

Although he is a fine trumpeter who has worked with Chico Freeman, Mingus Amungus, 2AM, and Jazz On The Line among other groups, Olaine is best-known as a producer of concert and club events, and recordings.

In the 1990s as a booking agent, he helped make Yoshi’s in Oakland into a major club.

Olaine moved to New York to become the Programming Consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center; in 2012 he became the Director of Programming and Touring for JALC.

He has also been the booking director of the Newport and JVC Jazz Festivals, during 2006-10 was the general manager of Monterey Jazz Festival Records, worked as director of A&R and staff producer at Verve, and has been an independent record producer.

Among the many artists whose records he has produced are Herbie Hancock’s Directions In Music, John Scofield, Elio Villaranca, Joey Alexander, Roy Hargrove, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, Regina Carter, and Kenny Barron.

Here is Jason Olaine in 2011 talking about the importance of music festivals and music education.

-Scott Yanow

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