Russell Thomas, Jr., Ph.D., educator, saxophonist, Fulbright scholar and bandleader; holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Jackson State University, the Master of Music Education degree from Michigan State University and the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Music) from the University of Utah and is currently Professor of Music, Director of Jazz Studies and Coordinator of Music Theory at Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi and serves as Chairman of the International Association for Jazz Education / African American Jazz Caucus Historically Black Colleges and Universities Jazz Education Committee.
His teaching experiences include positions at Alcorn State University, University of Utah, Snowbird Summer Music Camp, Visiting Professor - Mount Holyoke College, Adjunct Associate Professor (graduate school) - University of Missouri (Kansas City).
He is the founder of “Jazz In The Schools” (JITS) program. This program is dedicated to the teaching of jazz history and jazz improvisation concepts in kindergarten through secondary schools. Dr. Thomas has presented jazz education seminars/workshops at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, Music Educators National Conference, Southern Arts Exchange Conference, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, National Black Music Caucus Conference and the International Conference on Music and Dance in Melbourne, Australia. In addition, Dr. Thomas received a Fulbright Group Project Abroad Fellowship to China to study traditional Chinese music and a fellowship for the GHANA (West Africa): Freedom Tour ‘97 to study the music and religion of West Africa.
Additionally, Dr. Thomas is a Book Reviewer for Hartcourt Brace College Publishers and a consultant for the College Board - Educational Testing Service (ETS) Advancement Placement Examination in Music Theory.
An outstanding saxophonist, he has performed with such diverse groups as Little Milton Blues Band, Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, Nnenna Freelon, Dizzy Gillespie, David Baker, The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Ed Thigpen, Bunky Green, Gerald Wilson and the Lionel Hampton Big Band. Dr. Thomas has performed throughout the United States, Central America, Italy, Switzerland (Montreux Jazz Festival), China and Guyana. Dr. Thomas has also performed solo classical/jazz recitals at the North America Saxophone Alliance Conference, National Black Caucus Conference, Jackson State University, the University of Mississippi, Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Utah, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa and the University of Dayton.
Dr. Thomas has received numerous honors and awards including the Governor’s Awards For Excellence In The Arts - 2002 (Mississippi); Outstanding Faculty Award (Jackson State University); International Association For Jazz Education 2003 Director’s Award; Partner in Education Award (ArtsAlliance of Jackson and Hinds County) ; Spirit of Mississippi Award (WLBT Television, Jackson, MS); Spotlight on Scholars Award (School of Liberal Arts-Jackson State University); and the Black Jazz Caucus Music Award.
