JaKobe Henry is a versatile trumpet player, educator, researcher, and composer. He is pursuing his DMA in Jazz Performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after completing his MM in Trumpet Performance and his BA in Music Education. JaKobe’s recent instructors include Pat Harbinson (Jazz), Charles Daval (Classical), and Jim Pugh (Composition). Other notable teachers JaKobe has worked with include Ronald Romm, Tito Carrillo, Dr. Chris Probst, Dr. James Woodward, and several premier military band members. 

In 2022, JaKobe competed in the live round of the Graduate Solo, Military Band Excerpt, and Small Ensemble divisions of the National Trumpet Competition in Boulder, CO. In 2024, he served on the judging committee for the Junior Division of the National Trumpet Competition. JaKobe has earned national and international awards, including an Air Force Band Diversity Fellowship and the International Trumpet Guild’s New Work Competition. 

While at UIUC, JaKobe has played with the Illinois Wind Symphony (co-principal), Symphony Orchestra, Graduate Brass Quintet, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Concert Jazz Band, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and Jazz Combos. Recent professional ensemble appearances include Sinfonia da Camera and Heartland Symphony Orchestra. JaKobe will begin teaching full-time at Westminster College in the fall of 2024. 

JaKobe enjoys running, cooking, and watching reality TV in his free time.