Ladies and Gentlemen
Meet Dr. Jason Brown
Executive Director of Miles Davis Festival
Jason Brown, Ph.D. is an accomplished educator, arts administrator, and professional musician whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to music, education, and community enrichment. Dr. Brown, a native of East St. Louis, started his musical journey with the trumpet in fifth grade, developing his educational roots in East St. Louis School District 189.
His musical development flourished throughout his school years, culminating in his participation as a jazz trumpeter in the award-winning East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School Jazz Band. Through this distinguished ensemble, he gained invaluable exposure to renowned musicians and high-level performance opportunities rarely afforded to high school students. The Illinois Music Education Association acknowledged his outstanding musical talent, naming him one of Illinois’ premier high school trumpet players.
After graduating from East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School, Dr. Brown attended Eastern Illinois University on a music scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. He later received a Master of Arts in Educational Administration/Leadership from Saint Louis University and subsequently completed a Doctorate in Educational Administration/Leadership at Lindenwood University.
Dr. Brown brings over 20 years of educational experience to his roles as music educator, literacy coach, and school/district administrator. His professional experience includes roles in Saint Louis Public Schools, East St. Louis Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, Riverview Gardens School District, Niles Township High School District, and Cahokia Unit School District.
For his work in music education and educational leadership, Dr. Brown has received widespread recognition, including honors like the Missouri Arts and Education Council Art Educator of the Year Award and the St. Louis American Excellence in Education Award.
Currently, Dr. Brown serves as Director of Fine Arts for the Cahokia Unit School District. He is also a founding member of the Art and Talent Development Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to youth arts development, and serves on the executive board of House of Miles East St. Louis (HOME). Through his work as a freelance musician, educator, and administrator, Dr. Brown continues to dedicate his life to empowering others through the arts, education, and community leadership.