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The end of year can be a time of many emotions, including celebration, reflection, mourning, or stress. For individuals and communities seeking connection, music can cultivate the space for people to come together.  

St. Olaf College Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles Joseph L. Jefferson speaks about how music can foster connection during difficult times.

Why do individuals feel a connection to a song or artist?
Music is deeply personal, yet universally shared. Individuals connect to songs and artists because music reflects our backgrounds, lived experiences, and emotional landscapes. A powerful melody or lyrics can meet us exactly where we are –– offering comfort, clarity, or even joy. As performers, we serve as vessels who translate these emotions to the listener. This is why certain songs especially in gospel, jazz, and soul music, become timeless; they speak across generations and continue to resonate long after the moment has passed.

Why does certain music or particular songs resonate more during times of uncertainty?
Music has always reflected the times. In moments of uncertainty, we naturally gravitate toward songs that help us process fear, grief, and hope. A single phrase, groove, or harmony can carry us back to childhood or remind us of moments of clarity. During the COVID-19 lockdown, many of us were sustained by the arts –– I know I certainly was. Jazz in particular teaches us to listen deeply and respond with empathy. As Wynton Marsalis said, “Jazz is the sound of democracy. It reminds us that even in chaos, we can still create something meaningful, together.”

How can music reach across boundaries and bring people together?
Music transcends language, identity, and culture. Duke Ellington’s belief that there are only two kinds of music–good and bad–continues to guide me as a performer and educator. Good music has the power to unite people, regardless of genre, although what is considered “good” is always up to the listener. Jazz in particular builds community by valuing individual expression within a shared purpose. Through my own travels and training in jazz, choral, chamber, and symphonic settings, doors have been opened to cultures and communities I might never have reached otherwise. Whether I am performing in Southeast Asia, South America, on the East Coast, or in the Midwest, the human connection created through listening, responding, and making music together remains constant and powerful.

During the holiday season, we usually see individuals, families, friends, and groups connect through holiday songs. Why does this annual phenomenon happen? 
The holiday season brings a sense of renewal, gratitude, and togetherness, and music becomes the soundtrack for that spirit. The moment I hear The Temptations begin with “In my mind…,” I think of “Silent Night” and am instantly transported to early holiday memories. Holiday music unifies us because it is tied to memory, tradition, and family. These songs often focus on hope, generosity, and joy –– values we collectively reach for during this time of year. They remind us where we come from and help us celebrate the people we hold close.

How does your work at St. Olaf support students’ understanding of how music impacts people and communities?
As director of jazz ensembles at St. Olaf, I have the privilege of teaching students about the rich art form of jazz and how it reflects history, culture, and the human experience. By providing musical context and emphasizing the music’s roots, I help students approach jazz with respect and authenticity, while staying open to hearing their perspectives. Our campus draws students from many backgrounds, and jazz gives them a way to understand one another, build community, and engage alongside our other wonderful musical traditions, both longstanding and newly emerging at St. Olaf. Whether our students become performers, educators, or advocates, they learn that music is not just something we study –– it is something that shapes lives, uplifts communities, and serves as a bridge between people, which is especially important within a liberal arts setting. That belief guides my work every day.

About Joseph L. Jefferson 
Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles Joseph L. Jefferson has a strong foundation in classical and jazz traditions. At St. Olaf, he teaches applied jazz and commercial trombone while also leading the student jazz ensembles. Under his direction, St. Olaf Jazz I was selected to perform at the esteemed 79th Annual Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference.

Jefferson is widely recognized for his impact as a music educator. He was named one of Yamaha’s “40 Under 40” in 2023 and received the Ellis Marsalis Jr. Jazz Educator of the Year Award from the Jazz Education Network in 2022. He has also published academic research on the shout band tradition, a unique form of African American gospel music and worship central to the United House of Prayer for All People.