Dr. Courtney D. Jones
v. Assistant Professor
Courtney Jones is a Yamaha Artist who performs widely in the United States and internationally. While performing with various ensembles, either as a soloist or accompanist, he explores multiple genres and musical disciplines. Although he focuses primarily on contemporary classical music, he also ventures into the Jazz, Latin, Rhythm and Blues, World Music, and Commercial idioms.
Courtney completed his secondary and undergraduate education in Columbus, Georgia. While completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Columbus State University, he participated in many performances, clinics, and festivals with Columbus State University ensembles. He has recorded with well-known artists (such as Jens Lindemann, Joseph Alessi, John Bruce Yeh, and the Columbus State University Wind Ensemble), and has performed with (and served as the Artistic Director for) the Auburn Knights Jazz Orchestra in Auburn, Alabama. He has also won solo awards and scholarships through various festivals and regional and national trumpet competitions.
While completing his Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia, Courtney Jones studied trumpet with J. Carlton Rowe, former principal of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He performed with the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind and Brass Ensemble, the Loudon Symphony Orchestra of Leesburg Virginia, and also freelanced in the greater Washington DC area.
Courtney Jones conducted his doctoral studies at UCLA with International Soloist and former Lead Trumpet of the Canadian Brass, Jens Lindemann. During those years, he was a Teaching Associate, Gluck Fellow, and was also appointed the Conductor of the UCLA Brass Ensemble during the 2013-14 academic year.
As a classical musician, he has performed with the Golden States Pop Orchestra, Southeast Symphony Orchestra, Macao Orchestra (China), and Debut Orchestra. Within the jazz and pop areas, Courtney has shared the stage with such artists as Kenny Burrell, BB King, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rihanna, Boy George and The Culture Club, and Stevie Wonder. He has also provided music for the film and television industries, performing music for “Glee,” “Notes from Dad,” “Cougar-Town,” “Criminal Minds,” and many others.
Between teaching and freelance performing, Courtney promotes and encourages music education and instrumental performance in inner-city schools through the Music Outreach Program at UCLA, The Harmony Project of Los Angeles, and Trumpets 4 Kids in Dallas, Texas. Each one of these outreach programs focuses on schoolchildren in their respective areas, offering sequential art-in-education programs when music education or mentorship may be limited or absent. These programs are imperative because they give back to underserved inner-city communities and provide musical training and mentoring to talented boys and girls who would otherwise have very limited opportunities.
Click HERE to view Courtney’s website.