Joe Eckert

About

Joe Eckert was appointed the first full-time Professor of Saxophone at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2007. In 2011, he assumed additional duties as Director of Jazz Studies. He retired from full-time collegiate teaching after the 2022-23 academic year and relocated to the Orlando area.

From 1987 to 2007, he served as Professor of Saxophone at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, and Director of Jazz Studies from 2004 to 07. He retired in 2004 from a 20-year career as lead alto saxophonist/woodwind specialist and music director for the USAF Band’s Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C. While with the “Note,” he toured extensively across North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. As producer of the “Jazz Heritage Concert Series,” he collaborated with some of the great names in jazz, including Louie Bellson, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Cleo Laine, David Liebman, Mike Mainieri, and Clark Terry.

He has also performed with Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Jon Faddis, Bunky Green, J.J. Johnson, Carmen McRae, Sammy Nestico, Tommy Newsom, Red Rodney, Kenny Werner, Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Arturo Sandoval, Dr. Billy Taylor, Joe Williams and many others. Some of his freelance activities include performances with the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as tours with Liza Minnelli and Nelson Riddle. In the popular music world, he has performed with the likes of Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Anthony Newley, Natalie Cole and Michael Jackson.

Since relocating to the Orlando area, he has begun performing regularly with small groups and big bands. He is continuing his commitment to music education and has started working with the jazz bands at several high schools in the area. Mr. Eckert’s professional affiliations include the American Federation of Musicians, the Music Educators National Conference, and the Jazz Education Network. Mr. Eckert is a Yamaha Performing Artist/Clinician and a VENN Performing Artist.