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A dynamic force in the jazz world, Jen Krupa (Washington, D.C.) is an accomplished performer, educator, and leader. Renowned for her exceptional musicianship, transformative teaching, and dedicated service to the jazz community, her influence extends across generations of musicians and audiences worldwide.
In her two-decade tenure as a trombonist with the United States Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble, Krupa held multiple key roles and contributed significantly to the ensemble’s national profile, collaborating with artists such as Melissa Aldana, Terrell Stafford, Jason Mraz, Sean Jones, and James Taylor. The Commodores have recorded two of her arrangements, “Freight Trane” and “Four on Six.” A versatile trombonist, Krupa has performed with luminaries such as Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter, Miguel Zenón, Jon Faddis, Bill Watrous, Wycliffe Gordon, Seamus Blake, Eddie Daniels, Jane Monheit, Ingrid Jensen, Sean Jones, Michael Bublé, Pat Metheny, Randy Brecker, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Diane Schuur, Nancy Wilson, John Clayton, Marlena Shaw, and many more. She is the lead trombonist in the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and her performances have graced renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl.
Krupa is a dedicated educator and mentor, currently serving as a faculty member at The Juilliard School, where she coaches small ensembles. Her work includes guest conductor roles with the University of Scranton World Premiere Composition Series Concert, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra and high school honor jazz ensembles, as well as presentations at major conferences such as the Jazz Educators Network, The Midwest Clinic, and the International Trombone Festival. Krupa earned her Bachelor of Music in jazz studies from the University of North Florida, her Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School, and her Master of Music from the University of Maryland.