Profile for Jon Ailabouni

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Jon Ailabouni Pronounce my name
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Assistant Teaching Professor
Music
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Specialty area(s)
Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Trumpet, Brass Quintet
Brief biography
Jon Ailabouni (he/his) is an in-demand trumpeter, composer, and educator, based in La Crosse, WI. Ailabouni’s background is steeped in Western European classical music and Black American music traditions including the blues, modern jazz, and free improvisation. Ailabouni’s creative work focuses on instrumental composition and improvisation that uses emotion and story as focal points for expression. Ailabouni's improvisation as a soloist has been described as "sharp and resourceful" (AllAboutJazz.com). Recent creative projects include his debut album of original music entitled You Are Not Alone (SkyDeck Music, 2023). Ailabouni can be heard performing regularly with Chris Merz and Shorter Stories, Mike Conrad and the Iowa Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, Isthmus Brass, and the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra. Ailabouni is a frequent clinician and guest artist including at the Jazz Education Network Conference and jazz festivals around the country.
In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Ailabouni is an emerging national leader at the intersection of jazz and liturgical traditions. He regularly serves as a guest worship director in congregations and at gatherings including synod assemblies. Ailabouni’s The Spirit is Moving: A Jazz Liturgy of Renewal and over 50 hymn arrangements in various jazz styles are available on his website, JonAilabouniMusic.com.
Ailabouni serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where he teaches the trumpet studio, courses in improvisation, and directs the Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, jazz combos, and the Hoefer Brass Quintet.
Current courses at UWL
MUS 130/230/330/430 - Jazz Orchestra
MUS 134/234/334/434 - Jazz Ensemble
MUS 161 - Chamber Ensemble (Hoefer Brass Quintet)
MUS 161/361 - Jazz Combos
MUA 207/307 - Applied Trumpet
Education
MM, Music (Jazz Performance), Western Michigan University, 2013
BA, Music, Luther College, 2010
Career
Teaching history
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (2021-Present)
Winona State University, Winona, MN (2019-2022)
Luther College, Decorah, IA (2013-2021)
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI (2012-2013)
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