Joseph L. Jefferson

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, Joseph 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. Joseph’s honors and awards range across the scholastic and musical
spectrum. Recently, Joseph 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, Joseph 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 Asia at the College of Music, Mahidol University in Nakhon
Pathom, Thailand.

Prior to arriving at St. Olaf College, Joseph has held faculty positions at Southeast Missouri State
University, The University of Portland, and Treasure Valley CC. 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. Joseph L. 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 Jazz Council (Southwestern Jazz Division Representative), Texas
Music Educators Association, National Advisory Board Member – “One City” – VanderCook College of
Music (Outreach Program) and the Jazz Content Editor for the Historical Brass Society. Additionally,
Dr. Jefferson regularly serves as a clinician/consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center. (2023)