Profile for Jon Ailabouni

Jon Ailabouni Pronounce my name Pronouns: He/Him/His

Teaching Assistant Professor

Music

Specialty area(s)

Trumpet, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Improvisation, Jazz Arranging, Jazz Composition, 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, 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 combos, and the Hoefer Brass Quintet.

Current courses at UWL

MUS 130/230/330/430 - Jazz Orchestra

MUS 161 - Chamber Ensemble (Hoefer Brass Quintet)

MUS 161 - Jazz Combos

MUA 207/307 - Applied Trumpet

MUS 326 - Jazz Improvisation I

MUS 327 - Jazz Improvisation II

MUS 361 - Advanced Small Ensemble (Jazz Combo)

MUA 471 - Recital

MUA 472 - Performance Emphasis Recital

MUA 473 - Jazz Performance Emphasis Recital

MUS 480 - Independent Study of Music

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)

News

Take a listen to new albums Music faculty release jazz originals and flute from Mexico

Album release UWL faculty member sets release date, party for latest album

Big Band Cabaret UWL jazz ensembles perform in 35th annual event

Sounds of Pakistan UWL sets classical music residency talk, recital

Fall jazz concert UWL big bands to perform a variety of jazz, Latin, funk

Kudos

awarded

Jon Ailabouni, Music, received the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award at Homecoming Music Awards on Oct. 23 in Decorah, Iowa. The Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award, presented by Luther College, recognizes excellence and achievement in music and music education.

Submitted on: Oct. 27, 2025

awarded

Jon Ailabouni, UWL director of jazz studies, received the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award from Luther College, his alma mater, during the Luther College Homecoming Concert on Oct. 5 in Decorah, IA. Sperati, a pillar of Luther College and the Lutheran music tradition, was the conductor of the Luther College Concert Band for 38 years until his retirement in 1943. This award is given annually to one alum in recognition of excellence in instrumental music and education.

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Submitted on: Oct. 10, 2025

presented

Jon Ailabouni, Music, presented a keynote lecture titled "The Spirit is Moving: A Jazz Liturgy of Renewal" at the 9th Annual Phi Beta Kappa Symposium on the Liberal Arts at Luther College in Decorah, IA on Oct. 26. The presentation centered around Ailabouni's newly-composed liturgy that explores the intersection of Lutheran liturgy, jazz traditions, and racial justice ministry. Ailabouni was accompanied by Ellie Hoehne (vocal), Christian Montover (guitar), Michael Van Meter (bass), and Jim Knutson (drums).

Submitted on: Oct. 28, 2024

performed

Jon Ailabouni, Music, performed performed with the Cedar Falls High School Jazz One on Feb. 3 in Cedar Falls, IA for the premiere of Ailabouni's composition "Fraught Hope Blues" arranged for large jazz ensemble by Dr. Mike Conrad. The arrangement was co-commissioned by Cedar Falls High School and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and will be performed by the UWL Jazz Orchestra on April 20 as part of the Spring Jazz Concert.

Submitted on: Feb. 5, 2024