B i o g r a p h y
He was born and raised in San Diego, California. Cabrera's professional career started at the age of 18 when he formed a group named Jazz Avenue with five of his close friends. They competed in the national competition SchoolJam USA 2012 (sponsored by the National Association of Music Merchants), where they won the prestigious title of Best Teen Band and were given the opportunity to perform for the Musikmesse Convention in Frankfurt, Germany.
Cabrera notably arranges for the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, and Legoland. He also composes original music for big bands, wind ensembles, and symphonies. Cabrera directs his own big band known as the JazzKatz Orchestra and performs with San Diego's premier groups, such as the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra, Chameleons of the San Diego Zoo, The Legoland Brass Band, and Seaworld!
Cabrera has had the opportunity to perform with renowned artists such as Gilbert Castellanos, Francisco Torres, Kristin Korb, David Whitman, Jon Faddis, Javier Cabanillas, Christopher Hollyday, and more.
Cabrera has performed for many reputable theater companies such as the La Jolla Playhouse, The Coronado Theater, The Old Globe Theater, and more!
EDUCATION
Chaz Cabrera graduated with a high school degree from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing arts in 2011. He continued his studies at Grossmont College originally as a Biology Major and inspired by professor, friend, and colleague Derek Cannon, changed his major into music education in 2015. He attended San Diego State University in 2017 and graduated in 2020 with a BM in Music Education. He earned his Career Technical Education credential in 2021 and is now currently pursing a Masters in Music for Jazz Performance from San Diego State University.
HIGHLIGHTS
Chaz and five other teens formed a group called Jazz Avenue, who competed in the national competition SchoolJam USA. Out of eight contesting bands, Jazz Avenue placed first and won the title of "Best Teen Band 2012”. They were awarded a trip to Germany and had the opportunity to perform on the main stage of the Musik Messe Convention. They have also performed for a multitude of well known festivals and venues such as, KSDS Ocean Beach Jazz Festival, Heritage Festival, Dizzys, Lestats, San Diego and Anaheim: House of Blues, Lyceum Theater, and more. Jazz Avenue has released one album known as “Bridging the Gap” recorded at Signature Sounds.
Chaz also had the opportunity to perform for many companies professionally. Under the direction of Tamara Paige, he had the opportunity to perform in the pit orchestra of San Diego’s Renowned Repertory Theater production of “Hairspray,” (2010) receiving recognition from the composer, Marc Shaiman. Around 2012, Chaz was hired to conduct California’s Youth Conservatory production of “Spring Awakening” at the Lawrence Welk Resort. You can find more of the musical’s Chaz had performed below:
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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
