Stephen Jones

Saxophonist, composer, arranger, and jazz educator Stephen Jones is Director of Jazz Studies at Texas Tech University. Prior to coming to Texas Tech, Stephen was director of Jazz Studies at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, and at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. In addition, he has held teaching positions at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Texas Christian University, and The University of North Texas. Stephen earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a Performer's Certificate in Clarinet from the State University of New York at Potsdam, a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, and has completed the coursework towards a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

An emerging composer/arranger, his work has been recorded by the University of Illinois Concert Jazz Band's albums As Of Yet and Freeplay. Stephen has also written several commissions, including work for vocalist Darden Purcell and jazz trumpet artist Tito Carillo. His works are published by RGM, LLC, and other works have been performed by the George Robert Jazz Orchestra in Geneva, Switzerland.

He has been employed as a woodwind performer with the Walt Disney Company and Carnival Cruise Lines; has been a member of The University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra; and has performed with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Irving (Texas) Symphony Orchestra, and the Tulsa Philharmonic, as well as other regional orchestras in Texas and Kansas.

Through membership in ensembles both professionally and academically, he has performed with these and other prominent artists: Dave Brubeck, Conti Candoli, Bob Dorough, Peter Erskine, Maynard Ferguson, Slide Hampton, Marvin Hamlisch, Conrad Herwig, Jack Jones, David Liebman, Rita Moreno, Bob Newhart, Dick Oatts, Marie Osmond, and The Temptations. Also active as an educator, Stephen has appeared as a guest artist, clinician, and/or adjudicator at contests and festivals in Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. Since 1996 he has been on the faculty of the University of North Texas Summer Jazz Combo Workshop.

Stephen is an Artist/Clinician for Conn-Selmer, Inc., and plays Selmer (Paris) Saxophones exclusively.