Jamison Ross

Career

A native of Jacksonville, FL, Jamison began his music journey at his grandfather’s church where he sang and played drums. He continued to study music at Douglas Anderson High School. Ross went on to Florida State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies. He then attended the University of New Orleans where he earned a Master of Music.

Jamison's career began during high school after being featured in the 2007 documentary Chops. In 2009, Jamison was invited to the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. It was during this program that Ross connected with Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter Carmen Lundy. After hearing Jamison play, Lundy then invited him to become part of her band. Jamison would go on to record with Lundy as a drummer on Lundy's Changes and Soul to Soul.

In 2012, Jamison won the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition for drums, one of the most prestigious award for jazz artists. This afforded him the opportunity to record his first album. While considering how to approach his first solo project, Jamison made the choice to sing on the album. Mostly known only as a drummer, this was an opportunity for him to showcase who he was as an artist in totality. The same year Vanity Fair magazine named him first, as a vocalist amongst young, sensational jazz artists.

June 23, 2015 Concord Jazz released Ross' self-titled, debut project Jamison. Recorded at Esplandae Studios in New Orleans, LA, the album also features a guest appearance by Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste, playing on four of the album's songs. The album went on to continue to receive acclaim and received a nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for the 58th Grammy Awards.