Jason Mraz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jason Mraz
Mraz in 2020
Born	Jason Thomas Mraz (1977-06-23) June 23, 1977 (age 47) Mechanicsville, Virginia, U.S.
Education	Mechanicsville High School (previously Lee-Davis High School)
Occupation	Singer guitarist songwriter
Years active	1999–present
Spouse(s)	Sheridan Edley ​ ​ (m. 2001; div. 2002)​ Christina Carano ​ ​ (m. 2015; div. 2023)​
Musical career
Genres	Folk-pop surf rock pop rock blue-eyed soul
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Elektra Atlantic Interrabang BMG
Signature

Jason Thomas Mraz (born June 23, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He became famous with his first album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, released in 2002. This album included the hit song "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)".

His third album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (2008), was a huge success. It featured the very popular song "I'm Yours". This song stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record-breaking 76 weeks! He also won Grammy Awards for his songs "Make It Mine" and "Lucky" with Colbie Caillat.

Jason Mraz has released many successful albums, including Love Is a Four Letter Word (2012), which had the hit song "I Won't Give Up". He has won two Grammy Awards, two Teen Choice Awards, and a People's Choice Award. In 2023, Mraz competed on Dancing with the Stars and finished in second place.

Early Life and Music Journey

Jason Mraz was born and grew up in Mechanicsville, Virginia. His family has roots in the Czech Republic. His last name, Mraz, means "frost" in Czech. His parents divorced when he was five years old.

When he was in Lee-Davis High School, Jason was active in many groups. He was on the cheerleading squad, sang in the school chorus, and joined the drama club. He even played the main character, Joseph, in a musical!

After high school, Mraz went to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. He originally wanted to work in musical theater. He learned to play guitar and started writing his own songs. Later, he moved to San Diego.

Starting His Music Career (1999–2001)

In San Diego, Jason Mraz started performing at a coffee house called Java Joe's. He played there once a week for almost three years. This helped him build a strong fan base both in San Diego and online.

He released some albums on his own, like A Jason Mraz Demonstration (1999) and Live at Java Joe's (2001). These early albums had songs that he would later re-release.

First Major Albums (2002–2007)

In 2001, Mraz signed a record deal with Elektra Records. He released his first big album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, in 2002. The song "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" became his first top-40 hit. This song was inspired by a friend who had cancer.

In 2005, he released his second major album, Mr. A–Z. This album reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. He toured a lot to support this album. He even opened shows for famous artists like Alanis Morissette and The Rolling Stones.

In 2007, Mraz wrote a song called "The Beauty in Ugly" for the TV show Ugly Betty.

Big Success with We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (2008–2011)

On May 13, 2008, Jason Mraz released his third studio album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. This album was a huge hit, selling millions of copies. The album title came from a Scottish artist named David Shrigley.

The most famous song from this album was "I'm Yours". It became a top 10 hit and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a very long time. It was also popular around the world.

At the 2009 Grammy Awards, "I'm Yours" was nominated for Song of the Year. In 2010, Mraz won two Grammy Awards. One was for "Make It Mine" and the other was for "Lucky" with Colbie Caillat.

Mraz toured all over the world in 2008. He even performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. In 2009, he released a live CD/DVD called Jason Mraz's Beautiful Mess: Live on Earth.

Love Is A Four Letter Word and Beyond (2012–Present)

Jason Mraz released his fourth album, Love Is a Four Letter Word, in 2012. It reached number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The main song from this album, "I Won't Give Up", was another big hit. It sold over 4 million copies.

In 2012, he performed at the White House for President Barack Obama. He also played at the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden. In 2013, he won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Artist.

His fifth album, Yes!, came out in 2014. He worked with an all-female folk-rock band called Raining Jane on this album. In 2017, Mraz made his Broadway debut in the musical Waitress.

In 2018, he released his sixth album, Know.. He described it as a "bright and shiny" album with positive lyrics. The song "Have It All" was inspired by a blessing he received from a Buddhist monk.

In 2020, Jason Mraz signed a new music deal. He also started his own record label, Interrabang Records. His album Look for the Good was released in 2020. His most recent album, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, came out on his birthday in June 2023.

In September 2023, Mraz joined Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars. He danced with professional dancer Daniella Karagach and finished in second place.

Dancing with the Stars Performances

Average: 26.6/30

Personal Life and Activism

Jason Mraz lives a very healthy lifestyle. He eats mostly raw vegan foods. He even owns an avocado farm in Oceanside, California. His hobbies include surfing, yoga, and photography.

Helping Others and the Planet

Jason Mraz is known for helping many causes. He supports environmental protection, human rights, and LGBT equality.

• In 2003, he started auctioning off his clothes to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation.
• On early tours, he asked fans to bring food donations for local food banks.
• In 2009, he went on a trip to Ghana to help free children who were forced into slavery.
• The Jason Mraz Foundation was started in 2011. It helps charities that work for human equality, protecting the environment, and education.
• He has received awards for his work to protect oceans and beaches.
• In 2012, he traveled to Antarctica with Al Gore to learn about climate change.
• He supports WhyHunger, an organization that fights hunger and poverty.
• In 2020, he donated all profits from his album Look for the Good to Black Lives Matter and other groups working for fairness and justice.

Music Albums

• Waiting for My Rocket to Come (2002)
• Mr. A–Z (2005)
• We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (2008)
• Love Is a Four Letter Word (2012)
• Yes! (2014)
• Know. (2018)
• Look for the Good (2020)
• Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride (2023)

Awards and Recognitions

Jason Mraz has won many awards for his music and his efforts to help others.

Other Awards

Film and TV Appearances

Jason Mraz has appeared in some films and many TV shows.

Films

Selected TV Shows

Images for kids

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  Jason Mraz performing in Ledyard, Connecticut in 2006.

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  Mraz performing in Melbourne in 2008.

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  Mraz performing in 2013.

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  Jason Mraz in March 2009.

See also

In Spanish: Jason Mraz para niños