Jasen Thompson

Originally from St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, saxophonist Jasen Thompson resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina with his wife, Vanessa. He earned his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from North Carolina universities. Jasen holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Fayetteville State University (FSU), and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

While at FSU, Jasen studied saxophone with Timothy Chambers and was selected to represent the school as a member of the 2009 HBCU All Star Big Band, which performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City. At NCCU, he studied with outstanding jazz educators and performers, such as Dr. Ira Wiggins and Branford Marsalis. Jasen developed facility on his instrument in classical performance from Timothy Chambers and Dr. Susan Fancher, Lecturer (saxophone) at Duke University.

Jasen has a deep appreciation for musical diversity, performing various genres to include jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, classical, contemporary R&B and hip hop. He appreciates the contributions of music legends, past and present, such as Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley, Gerald Albright, Najee, and Kirk Whalum.

A music teacher in the North Carolina Public School system, Jasen performs regularly as a saxophone soloist and band performer in North Carolina