The Get Down

Award-winning musician, composer, arranger, educator, and percussionist Ali Jackson developed his talent at an early age. A virtuoso, Ali has contributed significant musical works as a composer and arranger and he holds the distinction of being the first percussionist to perform and create music across the entire spectrum of musical styles.

He began playing drums at the age of two and piano by the age of five. As a child growing up in Detroit, Ali found himself immersed in serious study alongside his father, the great jazz bassist Ali Jackson Sr., who gave him an intense introduction to music, taking him on gigs where he began playing professionally at eight years old.

Ali’s natural ability and passion for music bloomed and by the age of 11 his aptitude flourished as a result of a steady stream of lessons and mentoring from an all-star lineup of music legends, including Max Roach, Milt Hinton, Dr. Donald Byrd, Betty Carter, Aretha Franklin and James Mtume. During one lesson when he was 12, Ali met Wynton Marsalis and impressed the trumpet virtuoso and future collaborator with his maturity and his advanced knowledge of the piano and music theory — skills rare among drummers.

Ali graduated as a music major with high honors from Detroit’s prestigious Cass Tech High School, a program with a rich legacy of consistently producing the country’s top musicians.

As a student at the New School University for Contemporary Music in New York City, he was privileged to study with Max Roach and Elvin Jones. He attended college on a full academic scholarship, earning an undergraduate degree in music composition. In 1994 Ali was selected as the guest soloist for the Beacons of Jazz program honoring legendary jazz drummer Max Roach. The Thelonius Monk Institute and Jazz Aspen selected him to participate in the first annual Jazz Aspen for gifted and talented musicians. Ali was also the first recipient of the state of Michigan’s prestigious Artserv Emerging Artist award in 1998.

After moving to New York for college, Ali 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 utilizing all of the surfaces of the drum set, Ali’s playing is compact, tight and full of a simmering intensity that is unmistakable.

Upon graduation, Ali spent several years touring and recording with a diverse group of musicians before accepting the role of Drum Chair of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in 2005. Ali was the driving heartbeat of the big band, which was co-founded by Wynton Marsalis, Gordon Davis, Albert Murry to bring together the world’s top jazz musicians on every instrument to showcase the music of Duke Ellington and other great composers and arrangers. As an integral part of the rhythm section, Ali’s playing helped define the sound of the JLCO and Wynton Marsalis for more than a decade and is documented in hundreds of recordings and videos of concerts that were witnessed by millions around the globe.

Ali has performed and recorded with a multitude of artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Bobby McFerrin, Buster Williams, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Harry Connick, Jr., KRS-1, Marcus Roberts, Kenny Garrett, Joshua Redman, Vinx, Seito Kinen, Seiji Ozawa, Diana Krall, Gerald Albright, Michael Heise, Russell Gunn, James Morrison, Craig Handy, Jacky Terrasson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and the New York City Ballet.

As a bandleader, Ali has recorded five albums, including Amalgamations, Wheelz Keep Rollin’, Big Brown Getdown and the Yes! Trio album. Ali and Yes! Trio “Spring Sings” was just released March 2024. Ali’s playing is featured on more than 40 other albums, including Congo Square, Touchdown, Gunn Fu, Young Gunn Plus, European Sessions, Live at Yoshi’s, Reflections in Change, Back East, Two Men With The Blues, Three-Five, Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles, He and She, The Magic Hour and From the Plantation to the Penitentiary. Jackson also collaborated with jazz greats Cyrus Chestnut, Reginald Veal, and JamesCarter on Gold Sounds, an innovative album that sought to transform songs by indie alternative rock band Pavement into unique virtuosic interpretations with the spirit of the church and the attitude of the juke joint. His production skills can be heard on George Benson’s album Irreplaceable. He is also the voice of Duck Ellington, a character in the Penguin book series Baby Loves Jazz.

Ali is also an acclaimed composer whose voice is unique in its command of the universal language of the groove and the power of thoughtful use of space — both rhythmically and harmonically. He has composed the following ballets: “Watching Go By the Day” ( 2012 Hope Boykin, Philadanco) “In the Distance” (2021 Hope Boykin, Ballet X) ” The Other Side” (2022 Hope Boykin, The Kennedy Center) ” States of Hope” (2023 Hope Boykin, The Joyce, NYC). Jazz at Lincoln Center commissioned Living Grooves: A World in Jazz Rhythm. This masterful work features grooves and rhythms of the world with connection to the Blues and Black American culture. Another significant commission is the Alvin Ailey Dance Company ballet titled r-Evolution, Dream. 

Ali’s collaborations with other artists continue to push the envelope of jazz music and its connection to the human spirit. In 2010, Ali executive produced an original work called Beats of NYC, a project blending the musical idioms of Congolese, Senegalese, Tap, and modern dances juxtaposed with various styles of spoken word and the history of the blues. He also composed a ballet with long-time collaborator Hope Boykin titled Ballet: Watching go by the Day.

Beyond the performance stage, Ali takes a leading role in advocating for arts and musical education to build stronger communities around the world. As an active supporter of the arts, music, and the humanities, Ali believes in the power of jazz education to help students cope with life experiences by creating a positive mindset and working collectively toward common goals. He has donated musical instruments and conducted numerous master classes in the effort to improve music knowledge and uplift aspiring students. He has given lectures on jazz and culture at New York University, Stanford University, Eastman College of Music and Columbia University and has taught thousands of music education classes from nursery school to nursing home around the world.

Find out more about Ali Jackson here!

Featuring:

Craig Handy (Tenor/alto/soprano sax)

Craig Handy is a legendary American Saxophonist celebrated for his powerful tone, technical brilliance, and deep versatility across jazz, blues, and beyond. Born in Oakland, California, in 1962, Handy began playing saxophone at the age of 11 and later studied music at North Texas State University, one of the country's premier jazz programs. By his early 20s, he had already begun performing with jazz luminaries including Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, and Roy Haynes. Handy gained international attention in the 1980s as a standout member of drummer Elvin Jones's Jazz Machine and the Mingus Dynasty Band. He later became a first-call musician in New York City, known for his ability to bring both swing and soul to every performance. His playing blends deep-rooted bebop traditions with a modern, adventurous sensibility — earning him the respect of peers and critics alike.

In addition to his work as a sideman, Handy has led several acclaimed bands of his own, including Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith, a funk-infused tribute to organist Jimmy Smith and New Orleans groove. His recordings as a bandleader showcase his remarkable range, from straight-ahead jazz to hard bop, blues, and Afro-Cuban influences.

Robert Hurst III (bass)

Hurst played guitar early in his career before concentrating on bass. He performed with the jazz group Out of the Blue in 1985 and also did work with musicians including Tony Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Harry Connick Jr., Geri Allen, Russell Malone, and Steve Coleman. From 1986 to 1991, Hurst played in Wynton Marsalis's ensemble and played with Branford Marsalis in the early 1990s. He was also a member of The Tonight Show Band with Jay Leno from 1992 to 1999. His 1993 debut as a leader, Robert Hurst Presents, reached No. 13 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. He currently teaches jazz bass at the University of Michigan. 

Hurst has also recorded with a range of musicians that includes Paul McCartney, Charles Lloyd, Dave Brubeck, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Sting, Carl Allen, Pharoah Sanders, Barbra Streisand, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Botti, and Diana Krall. Hurst has cited bassists Ray Brown and Ron Carter as influences.

Dwight Adams (trumpet) 

Trumpeter Dwight Adams' musical training came later in life, not beginning until he joined his Detroit high school band during his junior year. With a great deal of natural talent and hard work he landed a gig as a member of fellow Detroiter Teddy Harris' New Breed BeBop Society at the age of 16. 

Dwight is now one of the brightest stars on the Detroit jazz scene. Adams earned a full scholarship to Kentucky State University, where he majored in music education and performance. He has since played and recorded with musicians including Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Shawn Wallace and Donald Walden. He is a favorite of legendary artist Stevie Wonder, with whom he has toured for over 25 years. He has served as a jazz trumpet instructor at both The Ohio State University and Michigan State University and performs with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

Beth Griffith-Manley (vocals)

Beth brings her powerhouse vocals and undeniable presence to the stage on the Get To Know Me Tour, delivering an evening of contemporary R&B rooted in authenticity, soul, and storytelling. As a Grammy-considered independent artist and founder of Anise Records, Beth continues to carve her own lane with a sound that is both modern and deeply inspired by the genre's rich legacy. 

Beth's career spans impressive milestones, from touring with icons like Anita Baker, The O'Jays, KEM, and Patti LaBelle to captivating national audiences as a finalist on The Voice. With roots tied to Motown history through her father, Johnny Griffith of the Funk Brothers, she carries forward a legacy while forging a path entirely her own.

Theron Brown (piano)

Theron Brown is an accomplished jazz pianist from Zanesville, Ohio, who has made significant contributions to the music scene in Akron, where he founded the Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival. He is also an educator at the University of Akron, teaching jazz, and has performed nationally and internationally, showcasing his unique blend of jazz, gospel, and soul music.