JERRY NAVARRO
Originally from Oxnard, California, Jerry Navarro has been playing bass guitar and performing since he was 6 years old. He started out playing in his Dad’s Romantic Mexican trio, and playing numerous church performances, which led to playing in top-forty bands all over the Golden Coast. In 1996, he made his trek across the U.S. and found his way to Nashville, Tennessee and enrolled at Belmont University studying Music Performance and Composition while also attending the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Although he plays every genre of music, Jerry has an extra special connection to Jazz music. For those who have heard Jerry play his bass, whether it be the upright, playin' those swingin' jazz tunes, or the electric bass, thumpin' that crazy funk music, you can tell that Jerry has that special "thing" that makes your whole body smile when you hear him pluck the strings.
In 2001, Big Kenny and John Rich ("Big & Rich") formed the Muzik Mafia, a ragtag collection of unique and talented musician friends and collaborators. It is most responsible for the birth and early feeding of country acts like Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. Jerry was the bass player and an original “Pit Boss” of this phenomenon that changed the face of the music business. In 2004, it received massive public exposure from The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, The Tennessean, Country Music Today, Billboard Magazine, The Washington Post, Blender Magazine, Country Weekly and The New York Times and later a popular television show.
Over the years, Jerry has shared the stage with artists such as Kid Rock, Bon Jovi, Hank Williams Jr., Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Dave Matthews, 3 Doors Down, Velvet Revolver, Stephen Cochran, Jewel, Bobby Brown, Sisqo, Saliva, Wynonna Judd, Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC), Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band), George Clinton, Angie Aparo and Richie Sambora, just to name a few. In addition to touring all over the U.S., music has also taken Jerry to Japan, Europe and UAE. He has played with jazz artist Kelly Sweet, Funk legends Jabo Starks and Clyde Stubblefield, jazz trumpeter Rod McGaha, Grammy-nominated pianist Jody Nardone, and chart-topping jazz pianist Beegie Adair. Until recently, he toured with one of the music industry’s best songwriters, J.D. Souther, who is known for writing hit songs like "New Kid In Town" and "Best Of My Love" (The Eagles), as well as "Her Town Too" featuring James Taylor and is more recently known as a featured actor in the first season of the hit television show “Nashville.” Jerry has had opportunities that most people can only dream of, giving him a broad base of experience to offer to Crush Worldwide clients.
In 2008, Jerry decided it was time to create his own company and use his years of experience in the music business: Navarro Nation was born. He recorded and produced numerous acts, managed artists, was a successful studio owner, and has dedicated his time and ability to music, teaching and training the next generation of talent.
After joining forces with John Haring's Random Music Group, Crush Worldwide was born to provide the best of Navarro Nation and Random Music Group's services.
Although the music industry has experienced numerous changes over the years, Jerry's goal has never changed: he's always ready to make great music!