Born April 3, 1976 into a legacy of jazz musicians, Ali M. Jackson took an early liking to the drums. At the age of two, his talent and potential was immediately recognized by his parents. At the age of five he began studying the piano which laid the foundation for his melodic approach to the drums.



By the time he was seven, Ali Jackson was performing with his father on the streets of Detroit. These outings with his father were valuable lessons in performance and in life. He learned to appreciate the function of his instrument in an ensemble.



His father also taught him to keep an open and absorbing mind in music and in life. Detroit, known for its rich legacy of producing some of the worlds finest musicians, was the perfect breeding ground for Ali.



He graduated from Cass Technical High School, known for producing some of the most renown names in Jazz: Paul Chambers, Donald Byrd, Barry Harris and Geri Allen to name a few. At Cass he performed in numerous ensembles and honed his natural ability.



Ali Jackson has been awarded scores of medals and honors for his outstanding musicianship and leadership and he has performed with the Michigan All-State Honors Band and the Detroit Symphonic Honors Band.



Ali Jackson won the Clarence Eddins/Blue Bird Inn Scholarship for outstanding music achievement and was selected to be a featured soloist for "Beacons in Jazz" honoring Jazz legend Max Roach.



A recent graduate of the Mannes College of Music for jazz and contemporary music at the New School for Social Research, Ali continues to expand his study of fine art. In conjunction with his education from the Mannes School, he has taken private lessons and instruction from master teachers such as Joe Chambers, Charli Persip, Chico Hamilton and Max Roach.



Ali Jackson's style, a powerful blend of technical mastery and showmanship, is strongly influenced by his late Uncle Oliver "Bops" Jackson Jr., Papa Jo Jones and Lionel Hampton. Ali Jackson's playing is also influenced by Laurence Williams, Roy Brooks, Elvin Jones, Philly Jo Jones, Ed Blackwell, Tony Williams, Ignacio Berroa, Billy Cobham; and a host of younger drummers: Jeff "Tain" Watts, Billy Drummond, Lewis Nash, Carl Allen, Ralph Peterson, Kenwood Dennard, Dennis Chambers, Steve Berrios and Herlin Riley.



Ali Jackson has always been outspoken in making sure that young people are properly informed about jazz and its tradition. For the past three years Ali has been part of Young Audiences, a program that strives to educate New York City youth about Jazz. Ali has performed and recorded extensively.



He has worked with some of the worlds finest musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aretha Franklin, Marcus Roberts, Gerald Albright, Eric Reed, KRS-ONE, Russell Gunn, Jacky Terrason, Rodney Kendrick, Buster Williams, Cyrus Chestnut, Chris McBride, James Moody, Vinx, Marcus Printup, Nicolas Payton, Milt Hinton and the New York City Ballet.



Through his continued drive, integrity and spirit Ali continues to support and perpetuate the foundations of jazz: Spontaneity, freedom and spirituality. Ali Jackson has residences in New York City and Seattle, Washington.