Sharing a Passion for Jazz and Student Growth
April 30, 2026
Eastern Florida State College faculty member Jon Oxford is helping students discover their voice through music, creativity, and a deep appreciation for jazz, all while building a program rooted in excellence and real-world experience.
Oxford’s journey into music began early, picking up the guitar at age eight. While his interest grew over time, it was a moment at 15 that changed everything.
“I knew that I didn’t understand what I was hearing, but I wanted to,” Oxford said, recalling the first time he listened to A Love Supreme by John Coltrane. “There was so much depth in the sounds. I was hooked.”
That sense of discovery continues to shape how he approaches both music and teaching today.
“I try to stay engaged myself. I can’t effectively lead my students somewhere I’ve not been,” he said. “Everything comes back to creating something good, beautiful, and true. They are all artists already. I’m simply trying to give them the tools and language to release their voice in the world.”
Oxford encourages students to look beyond technique and see music as a path to personal growth.
“I hope that they become the most complete versions of themselves they can be,” he said. “Music serves that end.”
In the classroom and beyond, some of his most meaningful moments come from watching students grow and succeed.
“Anytime the students succeed or have a revelation about a concept, it feels incredible,” Oxford said. “Sometimes someone will say, ‘Mr. Oxford, so-and-so is going to replace you!’ And I always have to laugh and remind them, ‘That’s the goal!’”
Oxford’s professional experience spans Broadway stages and international venues, from performing alongside Bernadette Peters to playing at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Johno’s Blues Bar in Cairns, Australia, the United Nations General Assembly room in New York City, and with Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando. Most recently, he conducted the orchestra for EFSC’s production of Into the Woods, connecting his real-world performance experience directly back to student learning.
He also speaks highly of EFSC’s music program and its impact on students.
“We have so many great faculty teaching at a very high level, and we’ve got tons of scholarships,” he said. “I believe in the integrity and validity of this program very sincerely.”
Through his teaching, performances, and mentorship, Oxford continues to inspire students to explore their creativity, grow as artists, and discover their place within the world of music. Interested in exploring music at EFSC? Find upcoming classes with our online search tool that help students build their skills, grow as artists, and learn from experienced faculty.
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