Jon Ailabouni

Jon is a trumpeter, composer, and educator who currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where he directs the jazz bands, coaches jazz combos, and teaches trumpet and improvisation. He joined LJO in 2016. Other performing experience include the Directors' Jazz Sextet, Ailabouni/Kaufmann Duo, Explicit Quartet, La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, and the Luther College Faculty Brass Quintet. He has been featured at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City and in concerts alongside Kurt Elling, Paquito D’Rivera, Bob Mintzer, Fred Hersch, Donny McCaslin, Bobby Watson, Edward Simon, John Clayton, Jamey Haddad, and the New York Voices. Jon has contributed original music to multiple interdisciplinary works including In Search of America with author Robert Wolf, Highway 57 with choreographer Blake Nellis, and Body of Water, The Invitation Game, and Who Do You Trust? with choreographer Jane Hawley. Jon holds a MM in Jazz Studies from Western Michigan University and BA in Music from Luther College.