JJ Mazza is a modern jazz drummer from Denver, Colorado. JJ is a Denver School of the Arts graduate and a freshman at Manhattan School of Music. Although young, JJ has already put together an impressive resume, including YoungArts 2022 Winner, Downbeat Award Winner (2019, 2020), Denver School of the Arts Jazz Workshop Orchestra, Colorado All-State Jazz Band, Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Competition and Festival finalist, UNC Jazz Festival, Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge, ASTA National Orchestra Festival, Five Points Jazz Festival, and more.
In addition to being a highly regarded sideman, JJ leads many of his own projects that explore his compositional mind and give him the freedom to be himself without consequence. These projects include KALIMARI DESERT, JJ Mazza Trio, JJ Mazza Quintet, and his solo project, Diary Entries. These bands have performed at many Denver venues, such as Dazzle Jazz Club, Larimer Lounge, 715 Club, Muse Performance Space, and more. They have all received wide praise from diverse audiences because, although different in compositional content, all of JJ’s projects focus on the same main goal; experimentation and individuality.
JJ is currently booking out 2023. Email jj@jjmazza.com for more.