…is a rising educator, trombonist, and composer. He currently serves as Visiting Instructor and Jazz Ensembles Director at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.

As a jazz artist, Jackson’s recent accomplishments include first place in: the 2024 J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition (International Trombone Association); the 2024 National Solo Jazz Competition (American Trombone Workshop); and, the 2024 Jazz Trombone Day competition (Yamaha/BAC/University of North Texas). His debut album “On Your Mark” was released in 2025, and featured entirely original compositions and arrangements. As a classical trombonist, Jackson was an alternate finalist for the 2025 National Tenor Trombone Solo Competition (American Trombone Workshop).

During Jackson’s tenure as a band director at Valley High School in West Des Moines, IA, the program received distinctions at the state and national level from such organizations as Bands of America, the Iowa Jazz Championships, and the National Band Association. While in Iowa, Jackson was also as Teaching Artist of Jazz Trombone at Drake University in Des Moines. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Jackson graduated summa cum laude from Luther College with a bachelor’s degree in music education, and he completed his master’s degree in jazz trombone performance at the University of North Texas (UNT).

Jackson’s performance credits include the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Nick Finzer Jazz Orchestra, the Iowa Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, the Max Wellman Big Band, the Broadway tour of “The Wiz,” and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. He is a Theodore Presser Music Scholar and he holds membership in the Pi Kappa Lambda honor society. Jackson was the proud recipient of the Des Moines Community Jazz Center’s Next Generation Award in 2025.