ArtistInfo

Jason Furman

Jazz

Native of the greater Philadelphia area, Jason Furman has been performing professionally as a drummer since the age of 10. Hailing from a highly musical family, with a father who played bass and guitar and was co-founder of the famous Sigma Studios that was a huge part of the Philly sound of the 60's and a mother who was a live performer and recording artist during the same time period as Chubby Checker, becoming a musician was an eventuality that transpired early in life. Jason and his brothers and sister played all over the tri-state area in the 80's. Upon starting high school, Furman participated in top positions in the New Jersey all state orchestra and the New Jersey all state jazz band. He studied with all of the top teachers in the area and beyond, such as Dean Witten of Rowan University and Gary Chaffee of Berklee College in Boston. He continued his diverse musical career, playing in the Haddonfield symphony, multiple musical productions (including the touring show of "Funny Girl" featuring Deborah Gibson) and, during a summer off from his studies toward a degree in music at Rowan University, in the Disney College All Star Big Band, where he had the privilege of accompanying such names as Dianne Reeves, Diane Schuur, Arturo Sandoval and Dr. Billy Taylor. He also completed a portion of his undergraduate degree at Kingston University in London. Furman was then accepted a scholarship into the prestigious Studio Music and Jazz program at the University of Miami in Florida. It was here that Furman delved into his interest as a studio musician and recording engineer. His diverse musical background that was nurtured in childhood became a sought after quality at numerous studios in South Florida as a session musician and engineer. It was also during his studies at UM that he met two fellow students who would eventually become musical partners and collaborators in pianist Landon Knoblock ("Uncarved Block" in 2007 and "Gasoline Rainbow" in 2010) and bassist Brad Russell ("Let's Hear It" in 2012). After having played full time in New Orleans for a year and then back to Miami where he was adjunct faculty at University of Miami, Miami Dade College, Broward College, and Palm Beach Atlantic University, Furman moved back to the northeast in 2009, landing in the greater New York City area. While in NY, Jason had continued his diverse choice of playing, this time in broadway and off broadway shows, straight ahead and experimental jazz gigs and cover bands, but has been maintaining his focus on the projects with Landon Knoblock, exploring musical improvisational possibilities, and with virtuoso bassist Brad Russell, in the genre of instrumental rock-fusion. He also was an adjunct music history professor at Mount St. Mary College, and the music program director at New York Military Academy. Upon returning to Miami this past summer Jason has immediately began working with the high-powered Headliners band and subbing for various groups under the famed Tropics Entertainment sCompany as well as local jazz groups. He also rejoined the esteemed faculty at MDC Kendall and Inter-American campuses.