Profile for Jon Ailabouni

Brief biography

Trumpeter, composer, and educator, Jon Ailabouni (he/his) is a sought-after musical artist based in La Crosse, WI. With a background steeped in Western European classical and Black American jazz traditions, Jon's creative work focuses on instrumental composition and improvisation that uses deeply felt stories as a focal point for expression. Ailabouni's improvisation as a soloist has been described as "sharp and resourceful" (AllAboutJazz.com). His 2023 album, You Are Not Alone, featuring his original compositions, has been presented at numerous venues around the Midwest including Iowa City Jazz Festival, Jazz Gallery in Milwaukee, and Crooner’s in Minneapolis, MN. The album is available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms.

Ailabouni can be heard performing regularly with Chris Merz and Shorter Stories including on the album New Juju, Mike Conrad and the Iowa Jazz Composer’s Orchestra including on the album The Fertile Soil Suite, Isthmus Brass, the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, and Anders Svanoe’s Teleporting Rhythmic Orchestra (ASTRO).

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 at gatherings including synod assemblies and most recently the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza in New Orleans, LA. 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 an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where he teaches the trumpet studio, Music Appreciation courses, and directs the Jazz Ensemble and Hoefer Brass Quintet. He is a frequent clinician and guest artist including recent appearances at the Jazz Education Network Conference, Tallcorn Jazz Festival at the University of Northern Iowa and the Southern Arkansas University Jazz Festival.