Clinician: RICHARD DUNSCOMB

J. Richard Dunscomb is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the leading experts in the field of jazz music and jazz education. He is active as a clinician, adjudicator, author, guest conductor and consultant. He founded, designed and developed the outstanding Florida International University jazz performance program. The program, its all-star faculty, students and jazz ensembles have been recognized through their many performances at national and international jazz festivals and educational events.

Dunscomb has been honored with many awards throughout his career. He was elected to the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Hall of Fame in 1992. He was awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor by the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 1999. He was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Elkhart Jazz Festival in July 2000. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding teaching, conducting and service from his university and the state of Florida. He also received several arts grants from the state of Florida including one to establish the award-wining Jazz Masters program on his campus in conjunction with the Southeast Center on Aging.

He has served as president of the 8,000-member International Association for Jazz Education. He is currently responsible globally for the international coordinators and their units in his position as international coordinator of the IAJE. His work with IAJE and other agencies has taken him to Europe, Canada, and South American on several occasions to assist jazz education programs. Dunscomb also regularly reviews new music and oversees the international column for the Jazz Educators Journal the official magazine of IAJE.

Dunscomb is on the board of directors for the Midwest Clinic, an international clinic for bands and orchestras that meets every December in Chicago, Illinois with over 12,000 worldwide participants. He annually presents a newly published jazz music reading workshop at the Midwest Clinic.

In addition to regularly serving as a guest conductor, he has conducted All-State and honors jazz bands throughout the USA and abroad. He recently conducted the U.S. Navy Commodores, the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, and the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, the official service jazz bands based in Washington, D.C.

His over 200 publications include a curriculum guide in jazz education for the state of Georgia. In one of his most recent publication he is co-author with Dr. Willie Hill of a soon to be released book Jazz Pedagogy: The Jazz Educators Handbook and Resource Guide for Warner Bros. Publications. This publication is designed to provide a foundation and structure to plan and implement a successful jazz program for the novice as well as the experienced jazz educator. The innovative DVD that comes with the publication provides clear and realistic discussion and demonstration of all aspects of jazz education.

Dunscomb is the lead author for the new Warner Bros. jazz ensemble method, Jazz Expressions™. This publication is aimed at beginning jazz ensembles. In addition to meeting the national standards for music it engages and inspires both students and teachers. The method is written for standard jazz ensemble instrumentation and includes parts for additional winds and strings.

Dunscomb was the North America coordinator for the Montreux International Jazz Festival for 18 years. Throughout his career Richard Dunscomb has developed award winning jazz groups at all levels. His musical degrees are from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, USA.