Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson is an award-winning educator that currently serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles/Applied Jazz Trombone at St. Olaf College. Trained in both classical and jazz traditions, Dr. Jefferson is a versatile and well-rounded musician that performs as a soloist, and chamber musician in Symphonic, Jazz, and Commercial musical settings both nationally and internationally. Dr. Jefferson’s honors and awards range across the scholastic and musical spectrum. Dr. Jefferson was selected as 1 of 40 music educators throughout the country to be featured in the “Yamaha 40 under 40" Class of 2023. He has also been awarded the 2022 Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year by the Jazz Education Network.
As a performer, Dr. Jefferson has shared the stage with a variety of groups and artists such as Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Wharton, Sean Jones, Andre Hayward, John Fedchock, The Colour of Music Orchestra, Paducah Symphony, The Irish Tenors, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Zoltan Kiss (Mnozil Brass), Randy Brecker, Jae Sinnett, Mike Berkowitz, Christopher Bill, and international R&B artists Dwele and Raheem Devaughn, among others. As a soloist, Dr. Jefferson has performed with Marshall University Jazz Ensemble, George Fox University Jazz Ensemble, Mt. Hood Symphonic & Jazz Band, SEMO Wind Symphony, Treasure Valley Wind Symphony, and the Fruitland Wind Ensemble. Dr. Jefferson has been an invited guest artist and presenter at the International Trombone Festival, Jazz Education Network Conference, Darkwater Festival, Washington State Music Educators Association Conference, Louisiana Music Educators Association Conference, Jazz Institute of Chicago, NAfME - Eastern Division Conference, International Horn Symposium, Reno Jazz Festival (University of Nevada, Reno), University of Evansville Brass & Percussion Day, Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, Weber State University, and Mineral Area College. Internationally, Dr. Jefferson has also had performing and teaching residencies in Bermuda, and in Asia at the College of Music, Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Prior to arriving at St. Olaf College, Dr. Jefferson has held faculty positions at Southeast Missouri State University, the University of Portland, and Treasure Valley Community College. Dr. Jefferson has earned degrees from Norfolk State (B.M.), Shenandoah Conservatory (M.M.), and West Virginia University (D.M.A.) under the tutelage of esteemed faculty, including, Dr. Keith Jackson, Dr. Wayne Wells, Dr. Mike Hall, and Mr. Paul Adams. He has also received instruction from Joseph Alessi, Andre Hayward, Amanda Stewart, Vincent Gardner, and Dr. Natalie Mannix.
Dr. Jefferson maintains his connection with the larger community of musicians and educators through his membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Jazz Education Network, International Trombone Association, NAfME (Southwestern Jazz Division Representative), Texas Music Educators Association, and is the Jazz Content Editor for the Historical Brass Society. Additionally, Dr. Jefferson regularly serves as a clinician/consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center.
