"To be a Legend, you have to be diligent and live a life of accomplishment. The extraordinary is out there... it just has to meet your hard work." -WILL JAXX
BIOGRAPHY
Willie Jacks, known by the stage name WILL JAXX, is an American trombonist, songwriter, Urban Jazz recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia. 2nd cousin to Disco First Lady, Cheryl Mason Jacks (The Ritchie Family), Mr. JAXX is best known for his silky tone, lyricism, and slick virtuosity on the trombone.
As a toddler, WILL JAXX was immersed in a colorful soundscape created by a diverse array of Soul and Jazz influences such as Al Green, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. His musical ability began to quickly assert itself and by age 12, the slide trombone was his preferred method of expression.
During his formative years, Mr. JAXX studied with several masters of the instrument including: Mark McConnell (Atlanta Opera), Stephen Wilson (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra), and Dr. Marvin Pryor (Cameo). This trifecta helped him develop exquisite technique, a gorgeous tone, and a uniquely captivating sense of style—a style which would later garner him the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz and induction into Who's Who in Music.
At age 18, he was commissioned as Composer & Feature Soloist for the World Premiere of "Beyond the Canebreaks: Moments in the Life of Harriet Tubman," which was composed The Harry Bryce African American Dance Theatre in Atlanta. This allowed Mr. JAXX to stretch out creatively, blending and expanding his appreciation of Modern Dance and the Fine Arts. He toured briefly with the Theatre before accepting a full Music scholarship to the University of Georgia, where he would study Music Performance under the legendary Dr. Philip Jameson. After a year of studying Orchestral repertoire and holding chairs with the UGA & Athens Symphony Orchestras, he decided to press pause on his formal training to make inroads into the Music Industry.
WILL JAXX spent about a decade afterward performing as a theater musician for a number of off-Broadway plays, as well as a number of years playing behind Music legends such Allen Toussaint, Ivan Neville, James Ingram, Angie Stone, and P.J. Morton. Then, after playing behind the likes of such luminaries, Mr. JAXX decided to step into the limelight and express his own creative vision. 2014 would give rise to his debut album, DICHOTOMY—a panoramic, full-length exposition, where soulful vocalise on trombone would be paired with superb live musicianship, decadent vocals, and artful studio cuts to produce silky tracks that retain an urban sensibility. The album drew critical acclaim in Europe, Africa, and Australia, and was hailed by many as a creative milestone for modern trombone recordings. Later that year, the urban trombone ace would win an AHME Award for Hottest Jazz Musician and earn his monicker as "The Dope Trombone Boi".
In 2016, WILL JAXX’s winning ways would culminate in winning the Principal Chair Trombone seat in Orchestra Noir—the nation’s premier, all-Black symphony orchestra. With then ensemble, he continues to showcase his ardent love of Classical Music. He also continues to be on the first call list for some of Contemporary Music's most iconic names (Cee-Lo, Migos, Cardi B, 2Chainz, Rick Ro$$, Rod Wave, Russell Gunn, Marsha Ambrosius, Big KRIT, and Mike-WILL Made It). Mr. JAXX also maintains a full recording schedule for Music, TV, and Film. He was part of the Cast in Eddie Murphy’s blockbuster sequel “Coming 2 America” and, more recently, has contributed to both new music and cinematic offerings from legendary Hip-Hop group, Goodie Mob ('4 My Ppl'') and Dungeon Family member Khujo Goodie ('Bills'). Mr. JAXX is also hard at work on music for his sophomore release with his newest creation, The Southernplayalistics Brass Band. His music truly stretches the fabric of what we call Jazz. But you be the judge--take a listen today, then experience for yourself the aura & swagger that is... WILL JAXX!