Trap Jazz

Media resources

Biography

TrapJazz is the group created in 2015 by Atlanta pianist, arranger and musical director Chris Moten. Since its first show in 2016, the group has performed for or alongside Terrace Martin, Christian Scott, Jacob Collier and Quincy Jones, and released the single "Go Get It" featuring Jeezy.

TrapJazz is the group Atlanta pianist, arranger and musical director Chris Moten created in the summer of 2015. Since its first show in 2016, the group under Moten's direction has performed for or alongside Terrace Martin, Christian Scott, Jacob Collier, Shelea, GhostNotes and Quincy Jones, and released the single "Go Get It" featuring Jeezy. Moten studied Jazz Composition and Improvisation at Clark Atlanta University, where he won first seat in the IAJE HBCU all-star band, and he won the 2005 Margaret A. Guthman keyboard competition. He has worked alongside bandleaders Ricky Minor and Adam Blackstone, appeared as the pianist in B.o.B.'s 2010 video "Don't Let Me Fall", and built bands for Kelly Rowland, Joe Jonas and Flo-Rida. Touring taught him to craft high-energy transitions, intros, outros and segues that keep a crowd on the edge of its seat until the last note.

To Atlanta audiophiles, Chris's best known for his force as an arranger and Musical Director for multiple prominent celebrity artists. Chris has work as a leader and as a follower. From working side by side on shows containing some of the best musicians in the business, including two of the nation's greatest Band Leaders, Jay Leno's Band Leader, Ricky Minor and Justin Timberlake/Janet Jackson's Musical Director, Adam Blackstone. While touring with B.o.B., Chris was featured in Bob's 2010 video Don't Let Me Fall, as the pianist in his street band. Chris also studied Jazz Composition and Improvisation at Clark Atlanta University where he also won first seat in the acclaimed IAJE HBCU all-star band in which potential members would create and send an audition tape to be considered to travel and perform with the all-star unit. Chris picked up yet another first place trophy for winning the 2005 Margaret A. Guthman keyboard competing, taking the competition by storm as aspiring pianist all over the world would participate. While touring, Moten developed skills that would allow him to create high energy musical transitions, moving intros, outros and segues the keep the crowd on the edge of their seat until the very last note. It was while touring that Chris built several bands for artists like Kelly Rowland, Joe Jonas, and Flo-Rida just to name a few. The bands created by Chris are relentless at how fierce and energetic the players are while performing the Artists original music both in studio and out.

Chris Moten created what he calls, TRAPJAZZ,  during the summer of 2015. Since their first show in 2016, the group under the direction of Moten, has been able to perform for or alongside the likes of Terrace Martin, Christian Scott, Jacob Collier, Shelea, GhostNotes, JammCard, Greg Philliganes, & last but certainly not least, Quincy Jones! TrapJazz has even released a new single entitled "Go Get It" featuring, Jeezy & Cheif Keef on all music streaming platforms. These opportunities serve as evidence of foresight and genius of not only Chris Moten, but the Unique & Distinctive musicians/producers he chooses to unite with to generate such a rare sound!  

However, few of the most erudite Atlanta music historians are aware of the breadth of Moten's résumé, for he is perhaps one of his hometown’s most worldly artistic gems, hidden in plain sight.

Videos

Press photos

Quick facts

  • Performed for or alongside Quincy Jones
  • Leader: pianist and musical director Chris Moten
  • Single "Go Get It" featuring Jeezy
  • Moten won 2005 Margaret A. Guthman competition
  • Moten built bands for Kelly Rowland, Joe Jonas
  • Hometown: Atlanta

Materials updated October 2026