Jamie DeFrates

St. Augustine's Jamie DeFrates is a conglomeration of both sound and genre formed by his knack for emotional and human connection through music alongside his own life experiences. A veteran of the music scene, DeFrates has built his career from the ground up with a foundation resting on the human condition, pillars of genre experimentation, walls of humility, and a roof of substantial musical knowledge. After all, he did study architecture at the University of Illinois so it's no surprise that DeFrates has also become a profound composer and an incomparable music producer over the years. With an arsenal of jazz, Americana, folk, new age, bluegrass, and gospel, DeFrates has already created a legacy for himself, winning two Emmy Awards—the first, an original score for the documentary A Light Still Bright which also won a Crystal Reel Award, and the second, the original score for the documentary Isakovs, A Legacy.

 

DeFrates was born into spiritualism, literally—living in a revival tent as a preacher's son who played piano and with a mother whose voice seemed to be sent from the heavens. His first live performance experience was in the rich San Francisco culture as a young musician. Ever since, DeFrates has been a composer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and even owns his own music studio that enables musicians to experiment and create the divine product of their desire. His drive and focus have led him to achieve countless experiences writing for film and television. Ask any musician in St. Augustine about DeFrates and the answer will always be the same—he is a torch that has burned so bright in the musical realm that it's a wonder he is even human. An enigma and a well of musical knowledge and experience, DeFrates remains unafraid to venture into uncharted musical domains, lighting the way for his peers.