Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Jacob.
Hi Avery, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey has never followed a straight line. I’m a U.S. Army veteran, artist, educator, and community builder. After leaving the military, I got together wth some friends from High school and started playing in bands. The most active of them being The Smoking Joes, Stonewall BLVD and my solo project, Avery J & The BA. In 2022, I founded Beasts of No Nation, an Afro-fusion collective blending Afrobeat, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and the many sounds of the African diaspora. I’m really trying to cultivate a cultural experience, allowing me to perform alongside incredible musicians, build relationships throughout Denver’s creative community, and create spaces centered on joy, identity, and collective expression. I’ve since expanded into several projects, including 2-Bit Boyz, EAST RVR, and I still produce my blues on the side. I also lead second line marches down Welton Street, beating my bass drum in Five Points. Alongside music, I found another calling in education. I began teaching music production at Legacy Options High School and eventually became the school’s Dean of Culture. Working with young people has really helped me understand that creativity, mentorship, community, and leadership are all connected. Whether I’m leading a band, supporting a student, or developing a new project, my work is ultimately about helping people recognize their own voice, tell their story and create spaces where we all feel seen.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Heavens no! Nothing about this life is easy. Smooth paved roads require a gang of workers, and while I am grateful to have wonderful collaborators in my midst NONE of this is easy. It’s a labor of love, though. That’s for certain. There have been missed opportunities, changing relationships, and plenty of moments when I’ve questioned whether the work was worth it. But every obstacle has sharpened my sense of purpose. The road may not be smooth, but I’ve learned how to keep building it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a musician, bandleader, songwriter, producer, educator, and Dean of Culture. I specialize in bringing sounds and people together. I’m probably best known for leading Beasts of No Nation right now and for marching through Five Points. What sets me apart is that I don’t see music, education, culture, and community as separate pursuits. They are all part of the same body. I’m most proud of the ecosystem I’ve helped build. One where musicians can collaborate, students can recognize their potential, and audiences can experience something joyful, culturally grounded, and bigger than any one person.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I don’t like predicting the future. I used to divine over things unseen, but I lean into the uncertainty now. The music industry changes too quickly for anyone to speak with complete confidence about where it’s headed. The education system sees its shifts too. I stay solid in my faith and let the tide turn, as it always does.
Pricing:
- Beasts of No Nation $1200 – $2100
- Out Of Line Brass $1200
- 2-Bit Boyz $650
- EAST RVR $650
- Avery J & The BA $500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averyjacob47/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonn30303
