Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Trombone/Euphonium and Director of Jazz Studies at Southeast Missouri State University. As a soloist, chamber musician, and educator, Joseph maintains an active and versatile performance schedule in Symphonic, Jazz, and Commercial musical settings both nationally and internationally. Regularly, Joseph is invited to serve as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator for both high schools and collegiate music programs throughout the United States. As a scholar, Joseph has published and presented research on the Shout Band Tradition in the United House of Prayer. Recently, Dr. Jefferson was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Ellis Marsalis Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year by the Jazz Education Network.
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The breadth and depth of Joseph’s performance repertoire is evidenced in the list of engagements he held prior to moving to Missouri. Prior to moving from the Pacific Northwest, Joseph performed regularly with the Rose City Trombones and the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble. He has also served as the second trombonist for the Tidewater Winds; a professional wind ensemble that performs in the “Sousa Band” tradition. In the classical genre, Joseph has performed with world-renowned artists and groups, such as Zoltan Kiss, The Irish Tenors, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Colour of Music Orchestra, U.S. Army Continental Band, and with John Phillip Sousa IV. He has also premiered compositions by Andrew Durkin, James Hosay, Robert Senay, and Stuart Dempster. As a soloist, Joseph has performed with the Mt. Hood Symphonic Band, Southeast Missouri State University Wind Symphony, Treasure Valley Wind Symphony, and the Fruitland Wind Ensemble. As a jazz/commercial musician, Joseph leads the JLJ Jazz Quartet. Additionally, has performed with Vanessa Williams, Sean Jones, Andre Hayward, John Fedchock, Nick Finzer, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Christopher Bill, Jennifer Wharton, Louis Romanos Quartet, Jae Sinnett, Mike Berkowitz, Mark Michelson Big Band, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, The Fuzz Band, Sinatra at the Sands Big Band Review, Pranksters Big Band, Treasure Valley Swing Band, and Stuart Dempster (World Premiere 2017 International Trombone Festival). Commercially, he has performed with "Right On" – The Worlds Greatest Show Band. Joseph has also performed with international R&B artists Dwele, Jon Bibbs and Raheem Devaughn. As a collaborative artist, he has also worked with renowned Japanese poet, Lawson Inada, for an evening of jazz and poetry. Joseph’s performances have also been broadcasted on Missouri’s KRCU (90.9/88.9), and an affiliate with NPR and KFVS (Channel 12) - The Heartland's CW, an affiliate with CBS.
Joseph’s honors and awards range across the scholastic and musical spectrum. These honors and awards include: Best Jazz Ensemble and Best Trombone Section (Villanova Collegiate Jazz Festival), finalist in American Prize Competition (as a member in the West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra), University Provost Fellowship (West Virginia University), Academic Enrichment Fellow (West Virginia University), and a Chancellor Scholar (West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission). In 2016, the Jazz Society of Oregon featured Joseph in its Jazz Scene publication.
Since his arrival at Southeast Missouri State University, this pattern of engagement and recognition has continued. In 2018, the Office of the Provost recognized Dr. Jefferson in the faculty spotlight highlighting his performance and teaching successes at Southeast Missouri State University. In 2019, Dr. Jefferson was selected as the Holland College of Arts & Media Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient at Southeast Missouri State University. This success has been passed down to his students through his teaching. Dr. Jefferson’s students have been selected as finalists in solo competitions as well as been awarded music scholarships to major music programs throughout the country.
Dr. Jefferson has been an invited guest artist and presenter at the International Trombone Festival, Jazz Education Network Conference, Washington State Music Educators Association Conference, Louisiana Music Educators Association Conference, Jazz Institute of Chicago, Darkwater Festival, NAfME - Eastern Division Conference, International Horn Symposium, University of Reno Jazz Festival, University of Evansville Brass & Percussion Day, Mt. Hood Community College, Mineral Area College, and Three Rivers College. He has also taught masterclasses and performed at colleges and universities in Idaho, Oregon, Virginia, Missouri, Texas, Nevada, Nebraska, and North Carolina. Internationally, Joseph has had performing and teaching residencies in Bermuda and Asia at the College of Music, Mahidol University (Nakhon Pathom, Thailand).
Prior to arriving at Southeast, Joseph has held faculty positions at the University of Portland, Treasure Valley CC, and Tidewater CC. Joseph earned degrees from West Virginia University (D.M.A.), Shenandoah Conservatory (M.M.), and Norfolk State University (B.M.) 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, Texas Music Educators Association, and the College Music Society. In 2021, Joseph was appointed the Jazz Content Editor for the Historical Brass Society.
Joseph L. Jefferson is a performing artist and clinician for S.E. Shires Trombones and performs exclusively on his “Signature” mouthpieces manufactured by Giddings Mouthpieces.