b. 23 June 1977, Mechanicsville, Virginia, USA. The pop rock singer-songwriter Jason Mraz grew up in Virginia where he first developed an interest in musical theatre. He left his home state to attend the American Musical And Dramatic Academy in New York, but dropped out to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. He played the coffee house circuit in New York and his native Virginia, before relocating to San Diego, California and immersing himself in the fertile local songwriting scene. Building an enviable local reputation for his entertaining live shows Mraz came to the attention of the major labels, and in 2002 signed a recording contract with Elektra Records. He recorded his debut album with Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer producer John Alagía and Virginia-based roots rock band the Agents Of Good Root. Released in November 2002, Waiting For My Rocket To Come built on the success of acts such as the aforementioned Matthews and Mayer, tapping into the lucrative North American market for melodic, roots rock-orientated material.
