Biography

  • Neil Slater

    Noted jazz pianist and award-winning composer/arranger Neil Slater is a National Endowment
    for the Arts Fellowship Grant recipient, and a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
    Grammy Award nominee. In 2008, Slater retired from his position as chair of the Division of
    Jazz Studies and Director of the internationally acclaimed UNT One O’ Clock Lab Band at the
    University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas.

    In addition to creating more than 70 compositions for jazz ensembles, Slater has written for
    symphony, mixed chamber groups, a cappella chorus and theater. The American Society
    of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) has bestowed its “Standard Award” upon
    Slater each year since 1987. Many of Slater’s jazz ensemble compositions can be heard on the
    recordings of the UNT One O’ Clock Lab Band.

    A renowned jazz educator, Slater has shared his expertise in clinics with students in Australia,
    Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and universities from Rhode Island
    to California. A former member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra-In-Residence program, Slater,
    a pianist, has recorded/performed with name artists including, Mel Lewis, Joe Morello, Sal
    Salvador, Frank Strozier, Don Elliott, Bill Watrous, and Danny Stiles.

    During his 27-year tenure at UNT, Slater was principal architect in the establishment of a master
    of music degree in jazz studies, and has been credited with expanding the depth and breadth
    of its outstanding jazz studies program. More than 300 students are enrolled in the UNT jazz
    program, which, in 1947, was first in the United States to offer a bachelor’s degree in jazz.
    Prior to his association at UNT, Slater founded the jazz studies program at the University of
    Bridgeport, CT.

    Slater is featured in the PBS documentary, The State of Tomorrow, A Passion for Jazz. He has
    been highlighted as artist and conductor in the publications, The Chronicle of Higher Education,
    Downbeat Magazine, Instrumentalist, Texas Monthly,     and Southern Living. Slater was conferred
    a United States Congressional citation for Outstanding Career, and has been honored by the
    cities of Denton and Addison, Texas with their declarations of Neil Slater Day. Additionally, he
    has been named Sammons Jazz Artist of the Year by the Sammons Center for the Arts, Dallas;
    and has received UNT’s prestigious President’s Award, and Honorary Alumnus Award. Slater
    is included in the current editions of Who’s Who in America, 2009 and 2010.

Neil Slater