St. Olaf Jazz Band

St. Olaf Jazz I is the premier large jazz ensemble at St. Olaf College. Composed of 21 members, the award-winning band is led by Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson. The jazz program at St. Olaf is home to two ensembles that perform both on and off-campus concerts every academic year. These versatile groups perform in a variety of musical styles including swing, bebop, fusion, funk, salsa and Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and traditional jazz idioms. Joseph L. Jefferson, director and trombonist 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.

Director: Joseph L. Jefferson

Joseph L. Jefferson is an award-winning educator who currently serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles/Applied Jazz Trombone at St. Olaf College. His extensive training in classical and jazz music has made him a versatile performer, playing as a soloist and chamber musician in Symphonic, Jazz, and Commercial settings both nationally and internationally. His numerous honors and awards span across the scholastic and musical spectrum, including being selected among the “Yamaha 40 under 40” Class of 2023 and receiving the 2022 Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year award from the Jazz Education Network. As a performer, Dr. Jefferson has shared the stage with a plethora of talented groups and artists such as Vanessa Williams, Sean Jones, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, and international R&B artists Dwele and Raheem Devaughn. In addition to his impressive resume, Dr. Jefferson is also a frequent clinician/consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

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