Ever wondered what happens before the gig?

Join us as Grammy Award-winning percussionist Ali Jackson (USA) rehearses with JMI faculty ahead of his evening performance. This is a chance to see world-class musicians at work, talking through arrangements, working out ideas, and locking in together in real time.

It's not often you get to witness a musician of Ali's calibre meeting and collaborating with a new group of players for the first time. Watch as Ali and JMI's faculty, some of Brisbane's most accomplished jazz musicians, find common ground, communicate through the music, and build something together on the fly. This is jazz collaboration at its most authentic.

For over a decade, Ali was the driving force behind the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, performing alongside Wynton Marsalis and helping define the sound of one of the world's premier jazz ensembles. He's collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, the London Symphony Orchestra, and many more.

Whether you're a student, musician, or simply curious about how the music comes together, this is a rare opportunity to see the process up close.

ABOUT ALI JACKSON "Ali Jackson generates a subtle but irresistible force when he plays, making even the smallest gestures advance his agenda of locomotion." — The New York Times

Ali Jackson is a drum set virtuoso, a celebrated composer, a historian of American music traditions and an unstoppable rhythmic force who has shaped the sound of jazz for more than 30 years while performing and creating music across a broad spectrum of musical styles and genres.

A polyrhythmic genius and sought-after collaborator, Ali has performed and recorded with a long list of musical legends, including: Aretha Franklin, Lionel Hampton, Abbey Lincoln, Buster Williams, Geri Allen, The Spinners, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Bobby McFerrin, the London Symphony Orchestra, Jon Batiste, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton and many others.

Named after his father—an acclaimed jazz bassist from Detroit—Ali earned a degree in music composition from New School University for Contemporary Music in New York City, where he attended on a full academic scholarship.

After arriving in New York, Ali quickly became highly sought after for his distinctive, powerful swing, which is marked by a comprehensive knowledge of different styles, genres and historical eras. Known for playing innovative, melodic drum solos utilising all of the surfaces of the drum set, Ali’s kinetic style and approach impressed many jazz legends and led to him studying with Max Roach and Elvin Jones and being recruited by Wynton Marsalis as a teenager.

Ali was a Thelonius Monk Institute and Jazz Aspen fellow, and was the very first recipient of the state of Michigan’s Artserv Emerging Artist award. He has been recognised with Grammy award wins for his contributions with Ted Nash for “Presidential Suite” and has received multiple nominations for his performances on many recordings throughout his 30-plus year career.

DETAILS:

Thursday 29th January 2026

4PM TO 6PM

$10 Entry (+ Booking Fee)

Contact the host of Open Rehearsal with Ali Jackson (US) & JMI Faculty

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