2026 Inductee

Born Oct 25, 1933, Playing from ages 16 to 92 (over 76 years), Jack Petersen served in the 8th U.S. Army Band, Seoul, Korea (1956-1957), was on the faculty at the famous Kenton Jazz Camps (1977-1994), was the founding faculty for 3 major university guitar programs: Berklee (1962-1965), University of North Texas (1976-1988), University of North Florida (1988-1995, fully 1999), was involved in teaching with others programs including Bowling Green and University of South Florida (late 90’s), in Prescott, Arizona and in other jazz communities. A pedagogical architect, “he revolutionized guitar education through his guitar lab concept,” his solo and guitar ensembles approaches, use of chord-scale theory into improvisation, extended chordal harmony, and much more.

Jack performed and recorded internationally with countless major jazz notables on guitar and on piano, including Peggy Lee, Dave Brubeck, Randy Brecker, Henry Mancini, Milt Hinton, Frank Mantooth, Clark Terry, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Larry Elgart Orchestra, the critically acclaimed ensemble Matteson-Phillips Tubajazz Consort, Phil Wilson, Jamey Aebersold, Lena Horne, St. Johns River City Band, Louie Bellson, John Allred, Ellis Marsalis, Rufus Reid, Doc Severinsen, and Nancy Wilson.

Jack wrote and co-wrote critical pedagogical books. In 1977, he co-founded the music publishing company Outrageous Mother (a Texas corporation) with regarded artist/educators Rich Matteson and Phil Wilson, to distribute their music arrangements. Moving to Prescott, AZ, in 2003, he worked with Mike Vax and other popular musicians, perform, presenting clinics, and teach, with an eventual final move back to Jax, FL. (2023-2026), to be near his Scott. A staple again in the Jacksonville jazz scene, he frequented jam sessions, performed with the Lisa Kelly/JB Scott Quintet, Swing 456, and Marc Dickman’s Monday night big band at Mudville Grille. He was a featured guest artist twice on the UNF Great American Jazz Series with the UNF JE 1 big band (Director JB Scott) in 2018, and in 2025 on a guitar tribute with Barry Greene (Jack’s UNF faculty successor), Corey Christiansen (Jack’s former student and USF faculty successor), Howard Paul (Jack’s signature guitar, Benedetto Guitars), and UNF student Nate Harrison. The tribute was presented again as a highlight concert in Atlanta, GA, for the Jazz Educators International Conference (JEN). Jack continued to perform and mentor until 4 months before his passing on Feb 5, 2026.

Jack’s work has influenced generations of guitarists, other instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, arrangers, and music educators worldwide. He played a major role in a circle of key artist/educators that advanced the artform of jazz and how to teach it, his years of collaborating with Rich Mattson were considered pioneering and groundbreaking. He performed many times on the Jacksonville Jazz Festival with UNF Faculty, UNF Jazz Ensemble 1, and the St. Johns River City Band. He mentored 100’s of guitarists and other musician who played the festival as students, with many returning to perform over the years as pros. His pedagogy, and collaborative theorem concepts in fundamentals and improvisation have continued to impact jazz musicians of all ages on the Jacksonville Jazz Festival stage and others around the world.

On May 3^rd, 2026, regional musicians to international artist/educators, gathered together at UNF from Berklee, UNT, UNF, Bowling Green, USF, UCF, in a Forever Swingin’ tribute concert to honor the Life & Legacy of Jack Petersen, their beloved colleague, former teacher, and friend. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is honoring this true jazz legend as the 2026 “Hall of Fame” inductee, accepted by his son, Scott Petersen.