The musical heritage and traditions of Memphis, Tennessee have heavily influenced Technical Sergeant Justin Cockerham. A native of the city, he studied Jazz Composition and Jazz Piano Performance at the local University of Memphis, where he was awarded the Memphis Gridiron: Berl Olswanger Scholarship for excellence in both classical and jazz piano. After touring with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra in 2007, Sergeant Cockerham graduated with honors in 2008 and attended the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley where he attained his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies. He joined the Air Force in April of 2011, following in the footsteps of his Father, a Navy Band Guitarist, and was assigned to the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. He was later reassigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe Band at Ramstein Air Base Germany in 2014.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Music: Jazz Composition and Jazz Piano Performance, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Master of Arts: Jazz Studies, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Assignments
April 2011, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
July 2011, Pianist, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
November 2014, Pianist, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
Major Awards and Decorations
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Training Ribbon