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Casey Brefka is a contemporary jazz trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator based in Nashville, TN. Originally from Hudson, OH, Casey began playing trumpet at age seven, inspired by Maynard Ferguson. His early influences included big band legends like Count Basie and Buddy Rich, as well as horn-driven bands such as Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire. During high school, he played in his school’s jazz band and the Cuyahoga Community College High School All-Stars Band.
Casey earned a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2008 with a degree in Jazz Composition and receiving the Toshiko Akiyoshi Award in his senior year. After touring with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, he completed his Master’s in Jazz Studies at New England Conservatory in 2012 and briefly taught as an Assistant Professor of Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee.
Casey has performed with renowned artists including Josh Groban, McCoy Tyner, Maria Schneider, Phil Wilson, and Omar Thomas. He currently performs with several groups: the Chris Weaver Band (rock/Americana), Crash Course Online VGM Fusion Band! (jazz/funk video game covers), The Accords (trad jazz), and leads the Music City Big Band—an 18-piece ensemble he founded in 2017 to showcase contemporary big band jazz featuring top Nashville musicians.
In addition to performing, Casey freelances on trumpet, trombone, and arranging, and serves on the executive board of the American Federation of Musicians Local 257.
