Jibri Houston is a Louisiana based music educator, trumpet player, and singer/songwriter. He has served as Director of bands at Red River High School in Coushatta, LA after receiving his Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps.
Houston was stationed at Marine Barracks Washington 8th & I Streets in Washington D.C. where he served with The Commandant’s Own, The United States Marine Drum &Bugle Corps. Initially enlisted as a Baritone bugler, Jibri later served as a Soprano Bugler and featured soloist with the unit. While on active duty, Houston’s most honorable service was as a United States Marine Funeral Bugler, where he regularly performed Taps at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Jibri is a native of Austin, Texas. His roots in music go back to his grandfather Leon Polk, a pioneer in mainstreaming gospel music, who sang with gospel quartet, The Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Jibri received his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Euphonium Performance from Northwestern State University where he studied with Dr. Masahito Kuroda, Dr. J. Mark Thompson, and Galindo Rodriguez. His introduction to DCI came while attending a Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps rehearsal on a scorching hot day in San Antonio, TX in summer 2002. He auditioned later that year and became a Cavalier in2003. During his graduate studies, he performed with the Northwestern State University Jazz Orchestra on trombone. He was the 2006 Music Teachers National Association Louisiana Euphonium/Brass, Winner.
Outside of music Jibri collaborates with local artists and professionals as an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. He enjoys playing soccer, coaching high school track, traveling the world’s best beaches.