Jason Mraz Biography

Jason Mraz is an American singer-songwriter who first gained recognition in 2000 on the coffee shop scene.

Early Life

Jason Thomas Mraz was born in Mechanicsville, Virginia on June 23, 1977. Mraz attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy after highschool for almost 2 years. Although he enrolled in college, Jason never went back as a trip to San Diego made him change his mind and moved there.

Career Beginnings

In his new home, he found solace on the coffee shop scene as it embraced singer-songwriters driven acts. Mraz became a regular at the “it” spot, Java Joe’s and performed along drummer Noel “Toca” Rivera. In the next two years, he had LA’s attention and as a result label appeal. In 2002, Jason was signed to Elektra Records and along with a new backing band, he released his debut album Waiting for My Rocket to Come. The LP mixed genres like country, roots rock, and coffee house folk.

Success

Remedy (I Won’t Worry) was the first single revealed and was a success on the charts. He headed for a tour to support his album and released the live album Tonight, Not Again in 2004. Mraz issued the second LP, Mr. A-Z. in 2005. However, once his third project was revealed in 2008 as We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, his popularity reached a new height. The album reached number 3 on the charts and one hit single called I’m Yours. This success was followed by a 2009 concert album entitled Jason Mraz’s Beautiful Mess: Live on Earth. Three years later, his fans were given the record Love Is a Four Letter Word, followed by Yes! in 2014 with a guest appearance from the all-female Raining Jane.

Photo credit: Jason Mraz