Jerome Jennings & ill Philosophy
Jerome Jennings & ill Philosophy
Jerome Jennings is a drummer, activist, bandleader, sideman, and Emmy Award winning composer. His debut recording ‘The Beast’ is a reflection of the every day joys and traumas of black life in the U.S. It was named one of the top three jazz releases by NPR, received a four star rating in Downbeat Magazine, and was nominated for the prestigious French ‘Grand Prix du Disque’ award for Album of the Year in 2016. Jerome’s sophomore recording, ‘Solidarity’, released November 2019 was recognized by NPR as best music that spoke truth to power of 2019. Currently, he performs and tours with his groundbreaking musical group, Jerome Jennings & iLL Philosophy.
Jerome served as music supervisor and composer for Louis Massiah and Monica Henriquez’s film TCB: The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing. The film debuted at the 2025 Black Star Film Festival and received the Best Feature Documentary Jury Award. He has also served as musical director and composer for Maurice Chestnut’s dance production Beat’s Rhymes and Tap Shoes.
To date, Jerome has performed, toured and recorded with legendary musicians like Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Gerald Wilson, Christian McBride, Ron Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsalis (J@LC), The Count Basie Orchestra, Philip Bailey, Henry Butler, and countless others. He has also made recordings and shared the stage with contemporary musicians, Lakecia Benjamin, Camille Thurman, Jazzmeia Horn, Christian Sands, and Thembelihle Dunjana, to name a few. He has been a member of piano master, GeorgeCables’ trio since 2021.
