Jackson Hillmer

Jackson Frye Hillmer is a drummer, songwriter, and educator who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he developed a deep love of music. He began his journey learning the trumpet and eagerly picked up the tuba and drum set soon after to perform with the Redwood High School jazz and symphonic band. He had the opportunity and good fortune to study with John Mattern (Redwood High School), Alan Hall (Cirque Du Soleil), Jeff Masanari (SF Symphony), and Chris Amberger (Janis Joplin, Rahsaan Roland Kirk). As a member in his early jazz groups, he opened for vocalist Kenny Washington, and played frequent local festivals & weekly gigs. Jackson started teaching drum lessons to beginner students when he was in high school and has continued to teach throughout his music career.

Jackson graduated high school with the Louis Armstrong Excellence in Jazz award and was offered a jazz drumming scholarship from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music where he studied with drummer Mike Marlier (Maynard Ferguson) and pianist Eric Gunnison (Carmen McRae). While studying abroad, Hillmer explored & performed at the University of Ghana, Accra with world renowned xylophonist Aaron Bebe Sukura, percussionist Johnson Kemeh, and Dance Troupe Leader Agosu Allotey.  Upon graduation, he received the Sterling Nelson Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Jazz Studies & Commercial Music.  While living in Denver, he performed at notable Colorado venues and festivals such as Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Dazzle Jazz, Bluebird Theatre, Fox Theatre, and Vertex Festival; and developed a strong and lasting relationship with the members of his current touring band, Mama Magnolia.

After 7 years of writing and performing music with Mama Magnolia and working as a freelance drummer in Colorado and touring around the country, Jackson has honed a broad range of musical skills and feelings. He has been living, performing, and teaching in NYC & New Jersey, since 2016 and continues to study with his mentor Jeremy Carlstedt.

Tags