Music has a unique power to bring people together, especially when times are tough. As year-end emotions run high—celebration, reflection, sadness, or stress—music can create a shared space where communities connect. Joseph L. Jefferson, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles at St. Olaf College, explains how music can foster connection during challenging moments.
Why do people feel drawn to a song or artist?
Music feels intimate yet universal. We connect because songs echo our backgrounds, experiences, and emotional states. A strong melody or evocative lyrics can meet us where we are—offering comfort, clarity, or even joy. Performers act as vessels, translating inner feelings to listeners. This is why certain genres—gospel, jazz, and soul—become timeless, resonating across generations long after the moment has passed.
Why do certain songs resonate more in times of uncertainty?
Music mirrors the era we live in. When fear, grief, or hope dominate, we gravitate toward pieces that help us process these feelings. A single phrase, groove, or harmony can jog memories of childhood or moments of insight. The COVID-19 lockdown showed how the arts sustained many of us, and jazz, in particular, teaches us to listen deeply and respond with empathy. As Wynton Marsalis put it, “Jazz is the sound of democracy. It reminds us that even in chaos, we can still create something meaningful, together.”
How can music cross boundaries and unite people?
Music transcends language, identity, and culture. Duke Ellington’s famous idea that there are only two kinds of music—good and bad—continues to guide Jefferson as a performer and educator. Good music has the power to bring people together, even when genres differ, though what counts as “good” is ultimately up to the listener. Jazz, in particular, builds community by valuing individual expression within a shared purpose. Through his experiences in jazz, choral, chamber, and symphonic settings, Jefferson has met people from diverse cultures and communities he might not otherwise reach. From performances in Southeast Asia and South America to engagements on the East Coast or Midwest, the consistent human connection comes through listening, responding, and making music together.
Why does the holiday season foster collective singing and celebration?
The holidays evoke renewal, gratitude, and togetherness, with music serving as the season’s soundtrack. Certain memories are triggered by familiar lines—the Temptations’ opening line of a holiday classic, for example, can instantly conjure Silent Night and childhood celebrations. Holiday music unites people through memory, tradition, and family, focusing on themes of hope, generosity, and joy. These songs remind us of where we come from and help us celebrate the people we cherish.
How does Jefferson’s work at St. Olaf deepen students’ understanding of music’s impact on people and communities?
As Director of Jazz Ensembles, he guides students through the rich history and human dimensions of jazz, emphasizing context, roots, and authenticity. With a diverse campus population, jazz provides a bridge for mutual understanding, allowing students to build community while appreciating established and emerging musical traditions at St. Olaf. Whether students pursue performance, education, or advocacy, they learn that music is not merely an academic subject—it shapes lives, uplifts communities, and acts as a connector between people. This belief informs his daily work in a liberal arts setting.
About Joseph L. Jefferson
Joseph L. Jefferson, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles at St. Olaf, combines a strong foundation in classical and jazz traditions. He teaches applied jazz and commercial trombone and leads student jazz ensembles. Under his leadership, St. Olaf Jazz I earned an invitation to perform at the 79th Annual Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference.
Jefferson’s impact as an educator is widely recognized. In 2023, he was named to Yamaha’s “40 Under 40,” and in 2022 he received the Ellis Marsalis Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year Award from the Jazz Education Network. He has published research on the shout band tradition, a distinctive form of African American gospel music central to the United House of Prayer for All People.
