Jason Pratt

Guitarist - July 29, 1974 - November 6th, 2021.

From a young age, Jason devoured all the music available to a Vermont, USA kid in the 1980s. When he was 14, after learning saxophone, he started playing guitar. The instrument unleashed a superhuman talent matched by a limitless musical curiosity. He had the will and determination to practice until his fingers bled, and within a few years he’d become a formidable and dynamic musician.

In the mid-’90s, Jason moved to Burlington, Vermont USA, and by 1996 he was rhythm guitarist for the punk-rap band Dysfunkshun. The group released three CDs during his tenure and toured all over the East Coast, playing shows at storied venues including CBGB in New York City and the Bitter End in Portland, Maine.

Jason was a member of the Burlington music family during a rich and creative period in the Vermont music scene. He added a layer of smooth, danceable funk to Dysfunkshun’s punk roots that gained the attention of the music industry worldwide, especially with the releases of “Hi Fi Stereotype” and “You’re Soaking in It.” His friendly demeanor won many friends, and his impeccable playing garnered respect from local peers, as well as legends of underground music.

After Dysfunkshun disbanded in late 2002, Jason continued to pursue his art and grow. He became interested in music production and recording, and he worked with numerous musicians and studios around Vermont. He always continued to tweak his beloved Fender Stratocaster, aka “the Prattocast,” to make it an instrument to match his musical passion and genius. He was an excellent sound engineer and provided sound reinforcement at the legendary 242 Main in Burlington for several years for a generation of young underground bands.