Jake Wilkinson

Jake Wilkinson is a professional trumpeter, pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and music theorist. He holds a Master’s degree in music and is currently a PhD candidate at York University.

Jake began his musical studies in 1980 with the trombone and piano, in 1990, inspired by his musical heroes (Clifford Brown and Fats Navarro) he switched to trumpet. Since then, his musical studies have led him to live and study in New York City, New Orleans, and Toronto. Jake’s 40-year immersion in jazz has provided him with opportunities to perform, record, and study with many of the masters including Barry Harris, Bob Mover, John Hicks, Larry Willis, Rob McConnell, Grant Stewart, Don Thompson, and Archie Alleyne.

Jake’s current theoretical work aims to shift the analytical paradigm endemic to the hierarchy of Western musical values to better elucidate the musical concept of Charlie Parker. His pedagogical research strives to innovate and illustrate the harmonic and rhythmic connections that lie deep within the jazz tradition.