About Joyce

Brent White is a Philadelphia-based trombonist, composer, and educator whose work bridges performance, scholarship, and community leadership. He has performed internationally, including with the Sun Ra Arkestra and John Legend, and his own ensembles highlight the richness of Black musical traditions through original works and re-imagined classics. His self-produced albums Broken Toy—dedicated to children impacted by parental incarceration—and code-switching reflect his commitment to blending historical inquiry with contemporary improvisation.

At Drexel University, White serves as Assistant Teaching Professor of Music, directing the Jazz Orchestra and Jazztet and teaching courses in jazz history and African American music. His approach is grounded in critical pedagogy and creativity, using improvisation, cultural relevance, and critical listening to connect music with broader social understanding. He previously served as Education Program Manager at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and has led workshops in settings ranging from the Philadelphia Prison System to a Juilliard School outreach residency in San Francisco.

White also serves on the Board of Directors at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts and Settlement Music School (Northeast branch), where he advocates for intergenerational learning and the preservation of Black American music. His scholarship and creative practice often center on Francis Johnson (1792–1844), a pioneering Black composer and bandleader from Philadelphia, whose legacy he explores through performance, research, and documentary work.

He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Widener University, a Master’s in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from LaSalle University, and is completing an EdD at Drexel University.

Across all of his roles, Brent White is driven by a belief in music’s power to connect communities, preserve heritage, and spark transformation.