Jackson Gillies is a 25-year-old independent singer, songwriter, performer, audio engineer, and producer originally from Long Island, NY. Jackson moved to Santa Barbara 10 years ago after in search or better weather and food after being diagnosed with an incredibly painful autoimmune skin condition called “Hidradenitis Suppurativa,” or just H.S. if you don’t have much time. He became the first person to ever give a TEDx Talk about his condition and the video has sparked a lot of positive energy in the H.S. community. Over 230 million people have this condition.

Music is Jackson’s saving grace. There was always great music playing around the house when he was growing up - The Grateful Dead, The Who, Genesis, Jimi Hendrix, James Taylor - but his first love was musical theater after seeing his older brother in a High School production of “Les Misérables.” He performed in many school musicals such as; Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, Tom Sawyer, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

When Jackson got to Santa Barbara he entered in a local singing competition called “Teen Star USA.’ High School students from all over the SoCal area competed in the contest held at the beautiful 2,000 seat Arlington Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. It was his 2nd time playing guitar on stage and he ended up winning the contest and decided to make music his career.

In the 10 years since Teen Star he has been fortunate enough to play many of the beautiful venues of Santa Barbara, shared stages with the likes of Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Glen Phillips, Tariqh Akhoni: placed top 60 in the 2019 Season 2 of American Idol (of which the audition has over 30 million views.)

In April of 2024 Jackson released his debut album “High & Low” and sold out a show at the 180 seat Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria. “High & Low” is a culmination of introspective songs written over the course of his teenage years heading into adulthood. The album was written, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered all by Jackson at home over the course of 1 year. It is available to listen to on all platforms. Headphones are highly recommended ;)

Jax is supremely grateful to share his musical gifts wherever and whenever he can. He embodies the fact that music is the most powerful, transformative, healing force to be discovered yet in this life.