Grammy Award-winning percussionist Ali Jackson (USA) sits down for an in-depth Q&A workshop, sharing insights from a career spanning over 30 years at the highest levels of jazz.
As the longtime drummer for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Ali was the rhythmic engine behind one of the world’s most celebrated ensembles, performing alongside Wynton Marsalis for over a decade. He’s collaborated with everyone from Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett to Eric Clapton and the London Symphony Orchestra, and has dedicated much of his career to education, lecturing at NYU, Stanford, Columbia, and Eastman.
Whether you’re a drummer, instrumentalist, vocalist, or simply passionate about jazz, this is a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has lived and breathed this music at the highest level.
What to expect:
- Open Q&A format, bring your questions
- Insight into Ali’s approach to arranging, groove, swing, and musical storytelling
- Stories from decades of touring, recording, and collaborating with legends
- Advice for emerging musicians on craft, career, and creativity
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s finest drummers live in Brisbane.
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.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Thursday 29th January 2026 – 1PM TO 3PM
$30 Entry (+BF)
ALL MUSICIANS WELCOME
Head to our Humanitix to purchase limited seated tickets
How do I purchase a ticket?
Tickets are being sold through Humanitix. Purchase limited seated tickets here. Due to JMI Live being an intimate space, we have a maximum number of guests allowed in the venue. We highly recommend it is best to get in early before tickets sell out.
What is JMI Live?
JMI Live presents live jazz in Brisbane every Thursday night from 8pm and a jam session after each gig. JMI Live is renowned for its intimate setting, providing the best opportunity to listen to live jazz in Brisbane. Just like a jazz club in New York, this venue is the ideal location for great jazz music, acoustics and atmosphere.
Location
JMI Live is located at 10 Exhibition Street, Bowen Hills.
Ticket Refund Policy
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and are unable to attend after having purchased a ticket, please contact the JMI office (07 3216 1110 or email play@jazz.qld.edu.au) as soon as possible during business hours (10AM-4PM) to let us know you won’t be able to attend. A full refund will be given if we are contacted prior to a performance. Refunds will not be processed if we are contacted after the gig.