Jamey Aebersold was born July 21, 1939, in New Albany, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University in 1962 with a Masters Degree in Saxophone. He also plays piano, bass and banjo. In 1989, the International Association of Jazz Educators inducted Jamey into their Hall of Fame at the San Diego convention. With this award, Jamey joins other jazz luminaries such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and others.
Jamey is a internationally-known saxophonist and authority on jazz education and improvisation, and has developed a series of Play-A-Longs (book and cd sets (now numbering over 120 volumes) as well as various other supplemental aids for the development of improvisational skills. The Aebersold book and recording sets allow a musician the opportunity to practice and improvise with well-known jazz personalities at home as well as in the classroom. The recordings employ some of the best jazz musicians in the world. This concept has been responsible for changing the practice habits of thousands of musicians around the world. While conducting a jazz clinic in Brazil he also produced a 110-minute DVD/video appropriately titled "Anyone Can Improvise" which has become a best-seller.
Jamey has taught at three colleges and universities in the Louisville, Kentucky area and has made guest appearances in dozens of cities around the world. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Indiana University in 1992. In December 2004, the Jazz Midwest Clinic bestowed upon Jamey the "Medal of Honor" in Jazz Education.
