Kevin Zapata (1996) is a trumpet player, composer, arranger, and audio engineer. Originally from Nederland, Texas, he is an up-and-coming artist based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 

Kevin received his B.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. While at UNT, he studied under Philip Dizack, Tanya Darby, Rodney Booth, and Rich DeRosa. Kevin further developed his writing skills and pursued a M.M. in Studio Jazz Writing at the University of Miami. During his time in Miami, Kevin studied and collaborated with Stephen Guerra, Maria Schneider, John Daversa, Etienne Charles, and Carlos Rafael Rivera.

Kevin has had the opportunity to perform and write for many artists and groups such as the Kevin Zapata Orchestra, Catherine Russell, René Marie, Christian McBride, Tom Scott, Willy Chirino, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, The One O’Clock Lab Band, Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Stephen Guerra Big Band, Frost Jazz Orchestra, Courtney Wright Jazz Orchestra, Army Jazz Ambassadors and more.

Kevin is a recipient of several awards including 2023 Jazz Education Network Young Composer Showcase Selectee, 2023 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy Big Band, The ASCAP Foundation Herb Albert Young Jazz Composer, Downbeat awards in Arranging and Engineering, and NYYS First Music Grand Prize Winner.