Brett James-Halter is a jazz and multi-genre drummer and composer from Oak Park, Illinois, known for his musical maturity, dynamic feel, and dedication to collaborative ensemble playing.

He is currently studying Jazz Studies (Performance – Drum Set) at the New England Conservatory in Boston as a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship.

Brett has performed with leading youth jazz ensembles throughout the Chicagoland area, made his festival debut at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival, is a two-time Illinois All-State Jazz Combo Honors Band qualifier, and is a two-time national School of Rock All-Star. He continues to grow as a performer and composer with the goal of building a lifelong career in music.

Education

  • New England Conservatory Faculty

  • Private jazz drum set instruction

  • Zoom lessons, once-a-year in-person lessons in Vienna, Austria (Brett has family in Austria).

    Brett was featured on Jam Lab University’s Instagram page as a distance learning student.

    Jam Lab University Promo - featuring Brett James

  • Oak Park River Forest High School Music Director for Jazz Programs, Classical Concert Bands, and Marching Band. Brett participated in all throughout high school.

  • Jazz Lab Band - Big band orchestra

    • Top jazz orchestra band & combo

    • 2-week summer camp with daily performances

  • School of Rock Oak Park instructor and in demand drummer in Chicago. Member of popular rock band, Tributosaurus.

  • School of Rock Oak Park drum instructor. Composer, drummer, and leader of the band Nine Worlds Ensemble. Columbia College Chicago music professor (gaming composition).

Achievements

  • Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia July 6-11, 2026

    https://2026mongolia.iasj.com/

    The International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) is a worldwide network of jazz educators, students, and institutions dedicated to advancing jazz performance, education, and research. 

  • A four year award

  • ILMEA (Illinois Music Education Assoc.) selection for the Honors Jazz Combo at the Illinois All-State competition. Brett is the #1 Jazz drummer in IL for 2 years running.

  • On drum set

  • Two awards

  • Best in District 1, Chicagoland area in drum set for 2023-24 school year

    • Glen Ellyn, IL city festival

    • The Juliet Trio qualified, won, and played for 1000+ audience, playing ahead of the jazz headliners

    • 150 musicians out of 50,000 students worldwide are chosen each year

    • South Team out of Dallas, TX

    • 10-day performance bus tour to 6 cities in Oklahoma & Texas

    • House of Blues Houston

  • Rock drum set

    • Highland Park, IL

    • The Dennies Band (punk band)

    • Two original songs entered into the competition

  • Pandemic, no concert

Ensembles

  • Sole drummer for the NEC Big Band Jazz Orchestra directed by Ken Schaphorst, Robert Nieske’s Jazz Combo, Jerry Leake’s World Rhythms Ensemble.

    • Student-led band that gigs around the Chicagoland area and plays for parties, private and corporate events, fundraisers, restaurants, art festivals, community festivals, holidays

    • Performed RSNA 2023 & 2024 Annual Meeting (Radiology Conference) at McCormick Place

    • Directed by Pharez Whitted

    • Drum set

    • Directed by Drew Hansen

    • Drum set

    • Directed by Ernest Dawkins

    • Chicago's Englewood neighborhood

    • Directed by John Foster

    • Directed by Anthony Svejda

    • Drum set

    • Meets 7AM daily for entire school year

    • Percussion

    • Fall, Winter, Spring performances

    • Plays tenor in the drumline

    • Performed at Disney Orlando, FL in 2023

  • OPRFHS Spring Musical

    • Fall and Spring Show Choir band

    • Drum set

  • OPRFHS Spring musical

    • Drum set

    • Freshman classical concert band

    • Percussion

    • Senior performance group at School of Rock Oak Park.

    • Gigs around Chicagoland area and music festivals

    • Weekly lessons Drum set & Keys (piano)

    • Percussion

    • Played at the Milwaukee Summer Fest in 2022

    • Drum set

    • Percussion

    • Drum set, percussion, key (piano)

    • Weekly performance group rehearsals

    • Weekly private lesson

    • Performance shows - Fall, Winter, Summer

  • Award-winning Hatch Elementary School Steel Drum band

  • Percussion