MUSIC

Jason’s unique, personal style highlights an improvisation-based approach utilizing “live” looping and technological effects — all accented by his exceptional stage presence, acclaimed work with acoustic and electric instruments and heartfelt tributes to his many musical influences.

His stylistic versatility, mood and character is expansive: blending soft and subtle, frantic and aggressive, swing and rock, Riley plays unaccompanied, in chamber music setting and with symphony orchestra. Jason’s work on stage not only reflects his understanding of classical form and balance, but shows a highly original combination of his classical/rock/jazz background that very few guitarists can successfully execute in live performance.

As a recording artist, Jason has produced and released four solo CDs, Notes to Self (a compilation of original compositions), Outtakes (original arrangements of traditional works), Spirit of Things (traditional American spirituals), and Funky Folk. An equally successful accompanist, Jason has been featured extensively with “The Nova Project” and as a guest performer with other artists in concert and on many recordings.

He has won US competitions and reader’s polls in both the rock and country genres and performed with numerous international artists including television and syndicated radio appearances. When not on tour, Jason serves as professor of guitar at several colleges in the Central United States.

Island Rock extroverts, Soca Jukebox is one of the genre’s premier show bands. This five-piece ensemble features a battery of shimmering steel pans, an array of Latin percussion, a fastidious rhythm section and incendiary guitar work. SJ’s cast of trained professional musicians are multi-instrumentalists and engaging performers dedicated to “bringing the party”.

A live Soca engagement showcases five decades of well-known repertoire from diverse musical genres, reinvigorated by fresh, stylized arrangements and a high-energy percussion showdown. Their great song selection, top-shelf vocal talent with smooth harmony and tribal chanting offer sanctuary in an all-out Drum War. Soca Jukebox is interactive, crowd-pleasing and has a wide appeal to all ages and musical tastes. Their unique blend of Trop-Rock advances the category through classic hits in Rock, Reggae, Calypso and Soca (“SO-ul CAlypso”) infused with charisma, humor, false bravado and Rasta-goodness.

While Soca Jukebox is now in their 14th season, the core of the band has been performing together since their college days. Formal studies included master classes with Trinidadian steel pan inventor/pioneer, Elle Mannette as well as numerous Caribbean and Latin percussion specialists. Devoted to the cultural legacy, but with an ear on innovation, Soca’s talented players carry the music forward to uplift, entertain and share.

Soca Jukebox is always “In Season”, transporting land-locked expatriates and those in need of a “3 hour tour” on a year-round musical getaway. From their Kansas City, MO home base, the ensemble is nationally touring to festivals, college campuses, casinos, clubs, corporate and private events or a venue near you! The band has accepted invitations to divert and delight disparate factions from heads of state to “parrotheads”.