Jack Wilkins, a professional saxophonist, is the Director of the University of South Florida’s Jazz Studies Program. He teaches jazz improvisation, jazz styles, analysis, and jazz history at USF. He also directs the USF Jazztet which is an internationally-acclaimed student jazz group that has performed at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in Europe. Jack Wilkins is an accomplished jazz saxophonist. His latest release, “The Blue and Green Project”, is his fifth CD. This CD contains Wilkins’ original compositions and arrangements. They are based on American roots music, and were inspired by the culture of the Appalachian Mountains. The unique musical adventure features outstanding musicians who perform truly original music. Jack’s previous CD, Two of a Kind’s “Artwork”, features a variety of his compositions, along with music by Georg Reidel and Per Danielsson. This is Jack’s second CD, and can also be heard on Jack’s CD “Dear Old Stockholm”. Wilkins is joined by Jon Allan, the Swedish legend in trumpeting, and Hans Backenroth (bass) and Johan Lofcrantz (drums). Per Danielsson, a Swedish/American pianist, and Tamara Danielsson, a saxophonist, are also part of the group. The earlier releases, “Ridgelines”, on ClaveBop Records, and “ARTWORK”, at Koch Jazz, have stood the test. They feature great music and outstanding musicians. Jack also recorded with Common Ground. He is a featured soloist in the 4 Chuck Owen’s Jazz Surge big-band releases “A Comet’s Tail”, Jazz Surge”, MadCap, and “Here We Are”. Jack Wilkins is a member the Florida Jazz Educators Board. He has been a long-standing member of Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshops faculty and a Yamaha Instrument Company clinician. from http://www.jackwilkinsjazz.com
