About Jason

Jason Fraticelli is a Philadelphia-born upright bassist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader who has spent over 25 years immersed in the Philadelphia and New York jazz and original music scenes.

He co-leads the acclaimed 10-piece electro-jazz ensemble the Fresh Cut Orchestra, and it was through this group that Jason received a Pew grant to record one of his most extensive works, the Mothers’ Suite, which was released on Ropeadope Records in 2014. Other grants and commissions Jason has received include those from the American Composers Forum’s Philadelphia Chapter, the Kimmel Center of Philadelphia, the Painted Bride Arts Center, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and, most recently, the Black Mountain College Museum in Asheville, NC.

Jason has performed, recorded, and toured with artists such as Cyro Baptista, Melody Gardot, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Robert Glasper, Taylor McFerrin, Bernie Worrell, G Love, and the Brian Marsella trio with Kenny Wollesen playing the music of John Zorn. Jason’s artistry is currently involved in two ongoing musical performing organizations: Matisyahu, an American Jewish reggae singer and rapper, and Spaga, a jazz jam band trio formed by Aron Magnor of the Disco Biscuits. Jason Fraticelli also leads his own art rock band, often described as Frank Zappa-esque, entitled the J Frat Band which released a debut recording, Dream Diaries, also on Ropeadope records in 2016. He is currently a member of the prestigious music faculty at La Salle College High School.