About Jeffery Johnson

I was born in Bury St. Edmonds, England. As a military dependent my family and I were often mobile until settling in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1996. I began playing the drums at age 7 and was heavily influenced by the gospel style of music. Though my technical skills began to increase, I did not learn to read music until I reached high school. While in high school I was an essential member of the concert band, and served as a leader in the percussion section, as well as head drummer in the pep band.

I furthered my music education at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke where I was taught by Daniel R. Davis. Jeffery received a bachelor’s of art in music with a concentration in Jazz studies. While I attended UNC Pembroke I was a part of the marching band, pep band, jazz ensemble, and various Jazz combos, including the UNCP Jazz Combo #1 who has toured across the state of North Carolina teaching high school band students about Jazz. The main focus of my education was learning to play multiple music styles like Jazz, Latin, Funk, Rock, etc. As a student, I thrived as a freelance musician playing of various Gospel, Jazz, and R&B events across the state of North Carolina.

In the spring of 2018 I embarked on my journey to obtain my master’s degree in jazz studies at the University of North Carolina Central under the direction of Dr. Ira Wiggins. Through this program I learned how to compose and arrange music as well as improve my technical and musical skills in various musical situations. I also had the opportunity to learn from Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo. I graduated from NCCU in the summer of 2020 and I currently work as a freelance teacher and musician in the Carolinas.