Guitarist and composer, Jessica Ackerley, has been described as “one of the most exciting guitarists to have emerged from the free music scene in recent years” (Wire Magazine). Expanding the lines between avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical, and ambient music, Ackerley has distinguished their musical voice across 25 releases as a bandleader and co-leader working with labels such as Innova, AKP Recordings, and 577 Records. Their music has garnered acclaim from publications like Pitchfork, BBC Radio, Wire Magazine, GRAMMY News, WholeNote, Musicworks and BandCamp, among others, making multiple critics’ year end lists.
As a performer Ackerley has toured extensively throughout North America, Asia and Europe, performing at noteworthy venues like The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Met Breuer, Vortex (U.K.), Bang on a Can LOUD Weekend (Mass MoCA), The Stone, Roulette Intermedium, Earshot Jazz Festival, Something Else! Festival, Ironworks Fest and Coastal Jazz Festival. As a side musician and collaborator they have worked with Tyshawn Sorey’s conduction ensemble, Zakir Hussain, Patrick Shiroishi, and Daniel Carter among others. Over the past four years Ackerley has expanded their musical practice to composition with pursuing a PhD in music composition at University of Hawai’i and collaborated with SPLICE Ensemble, Unheard-Of Ensemble, Brightwork, Blaurenz Duo, Tacet(i), Tony Arnold, HYPERCUBE, and Clara Kim.
Having taught music for over 15 years to students of all ages and levels, Jessica has developed a diverse teaching method for students with a wide range of abilities and experience. By encouraging students to play the music they are most passionate about, Jessica believes students can achieve a variety of musical goals while also enjoying the learning process. As a professional performer and composer, in addition to maintaining an active teaching schedule, Jessica brings real-world musical knowledge and experience into the lesson room directly from the bandstand. Spanning jazz, classical composition, rock, and popular music, Jessica’s pedagogical practice is well-rounded and suited to many students’ interests and abilities.