Board of Directors
Dr. Pamela Jacquet Davis
Dr. Pamela Jacquet serves as the co-founder and president of The Illinois Jacquet Foundation®, a non-profit organization that honors the legacy of her father, the late jazz tenor saxophonist Jean Baptiste Illinois Jacquet (1922-2004). She is responsible for overseeing its operations, administration and ongoing outreach initiatives.
Nikki Davis
Nikki Davis shares the same passion her grandfather (Illinois Jacquet) had to ensure that his legacy
continues through jazz music education and promotion of the Illinois Jacquet Foundation. Nikki enjoyed the
many musical adventures she got to experience from such a unique perspective, spending countless hours
with her grandfather as a child and young adult; from witnessing Jazz luminaries frequent her grandfather’s
rehearsal studio in St. Albans (Queens, NY) to attending many of his concerts across the U.S. and over seas. In addition to her work with IJF, Nikki works in the Health Care industry specializing in Operations and Technology Program Management. Nikki holds an MBA from Long Island University, NY and a BA from Mount St. Mary’s College, CA.
Melissa Hughes
Known for her ability to create event experiences unique to the needs of her wide variety of clientele, Melissa Hughes has been an invaluable asset to The Illinois Jacquet Foundation, since joining the Board of Directors in 2010. Her Scottsdale, Arizona based company, With a Twist Consulting,LLC, has been a driving force behind all aspects of donor, sponsor, and philanthropic efforts where she is directly responsible for spearheading all event-related partnerships, operations, strategic partnerships and fundraising. Hughes also provides ongoing counsel to the group with regard to strategic planning initiatives for future endeavors and undertakings.
John Henry
John Henry works closely with the Illinois Jacquet Foundation board, providing project management and communications support. At an early age, John developed an appreciation of jazz music while listening to jazz legends with his father, John Henry Sr., who was an avid jazz enthusiast and DJ at renowned jazz radio station KPFA in Berkeley, California. John is committed to working with organizations that support youth education and empowerment through music and sports related activities. A former collegiate athlete at Fordham University, John majored in communications and studied music production, TV, and radio broadcast. John is currently a Senior Project Manager with high level experience in dynamic industries such as IT, Financial Services, Sports, and Entertainment.
Danny Frank