Chaz Cabrera is a San Diego-based music educator, professor, composer, arranger, conductor, and saxophonist. He currently serves as Director of Jazz Studies at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA) and as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Southwestern Community College, where he directs the college's big band.
 

Cabrera's professional career began at the age of 18 when he co-founded the jazz ensemble Jazz Avenue. In 2012, the group won the national SchoolJam USA competition, earning the title of Best Teen Band and an invitation to perform on the main stage of the Musikmesse Convention in Frankfurt, Germany.
 

Today, Cabrera is an active composer and arranger whose music has been commissioned and performed by organizations including the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND California, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and numerous professional, educational, and community ensembles throughout Southern California. His catalog includes original compositions and arrangements for jazz ensemble, orchestra, wind ensemble, chamber ensembles, vocal groups, and commercial entertainment productions. His saxophone quartet arrangement of On the Sunny Side of the Street has become his best-selling published work, while his original composition Ellie's Adventure was commissioned by Grossmont College.
 

As founder and music director of the JazzKatz Orchestra, Cabrera has produced, arranged, and conducted large-scale concerts honoring legendary artists including Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee. In 2026, he conducted Mary Lou Williams' Zodiac Suite featuring the Helen Sung Trio and the KSDS Jazz 88.3 Orchestra, and also served as music director and conductor for a production of Hairspray.

An accomplished performer, Cabrera has appeared alongside internationally recognized artists including Jon Faddis, Gilbert Castellanos, Helen Sung, Francisco Torres, Kristin Korb, David Whitman, Javier Cabanillas, and Christopher Hollyday. He regularly performs with many of Southern California's premier ensembles and has appeared in productions with organizations such as The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, and other leading regional theaters.
 

Cabrera earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from San Diego State University, where he also served as a graduate teaching assistant. He is the recipient of the 2022 California Music Educators Association Paul A. Shaghoian Jazz Educator Award, recognizing his contributions to jazz education. Whether conducting professional orchestras, composing for the stage, arranging for commercial entertainment, or mentoring the next generation of musicians, Cabrera remains dedicated to advancing jazz education and creating meaningful musical experiences throughout Southern California.

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Hairspray / SDSCPA 2026

The WIZ / SDSCPA 2025

Guys and Dolls / SDSCPA 2024

Wedding Singer 2023 / Moonlight Theatre

Once Upon a Mattress / SDSCPA 2023

White Christmas / La Mirada Theatre 2022

Once an Island / SDSCPA 2022

In The Heights / SDSCPA 2021

Les Miserables / SDSCPA 2020

33/3rd House of Dreams / Lyceum Theatre 2019

Chicago / Moonlight Theatre 2019

Seussical / Junior Theatre 2019

Billy Elliot / SDSCPA 2019

Footloose / Canyon Crest Academy 2017

Avenue Q / New Village Arts Theatre 2017

Brooklyn The Musical / 2016

All Shooked Up / Moonlight Theatre 2016

Sweet Charity / Canyon Crest Academy / 2016

Rent 12/2015 California Youth Conservatory

The Comedy of Errors 08/2015 The Old Globe Theater

Godspell / Francis Parker 2014
Les Miserables 06/2014 California Christian Theater
Suds 10/2013 Coronado Playhouse Theater
In The Heights 07/2013 Lyceum Theater
Guys & Dolls 08/2012 Lambs Theater

Spring Awakening / Lawrence Welk Resort 2012
Ragtime 07/2012 CYC
Scrooge 12/2011 SDSCPA
Wizard of Oz 09/2011 Private Contractor 
The Sound of Music 04/2011 Kroc Center
Spelling Bee 03/2011 CYC / SDSCPA
Secret Garden 11/2010 CYC
Hairspray 06/2010 Lyceum Theater
Thoroughly Modern Millie 11/2008 SDSCPA