Dr. David Morgan
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies

3041 Bliss Hall
330/742-1830
330/742-1490 (fax)
dsmorgan@ysu.edu

Dr. David Morgan is an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and String Bass. He is best known as a jazz bassist and composer/arranger. His teaching responsibilities include jazz ensemble, jazz combo, jazz improvisation, jazz arranging, jazz composition, and applied string bass.

In recent years, he has shared the stage with many leading jazz musicians including Larry Coryell, James Moody, Frank Foster, Joe Chambers, Benny Green, Joe Lovano, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Bobby Watson, and Mose Allison. Dave performs regularly with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Jack Schantz Jazz Unit, and with a variety of smaller ensembles. He has also appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Akron Symphony, and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. Dave received the 2003 Award of Achievement from Northern Ohio Live for transcribing and arranging a concert of the music of Frank Zappa for a TRI-C JazzFest concert that featured saxophonist Ernie Watts.

Dr. Morgan, who holds a M.M. in Music Theory and a D.M.A. in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin, is also active as a theorist and composer. His theoretical research has focused on the harmonic and melodic vocabulary of contemporary jazz, and he has presented two papers at National Meetings of the Society for Music Theory. His article "Superimposition in the Improvisations of Herbie Hancock" will be published in the forthcoming issue of the Annual Review of Jazz Studies.

His compositions for jazz and classical ensembles are performed throughout the world. The 13-piece Jazz Unit has released a critically-acclaimed recording of his compositions entitled “Choices.” Dave's performance and compositional talents can also be heard on recordings by The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra entitled "Traditions," and "Night and Day: Barbara Knight & The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra." He can also be heard with the Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra on "Friends." The Polish National Chamber Orchestra recently premiered two of Morgan’s works, “Concert Music for Alto Saxophone and Strings” and “Romance for Flute and Strings.” Their recording of the “Romance” with American flutist Katherine DeJongh was released in 2002 on the Errato label. Dave has two recent premieres. The first is "Consolation” for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, which was performed in South Korea in November, 2003. The second is "Fine Lines” for Flute and Wind Ensemble, composed for Dr. Katherine Thomas Umble, Assistant Professor of Flute. It was performed with the YSU Wind Ensemble in December, 2003. Morgan’s music has also been performed by YSU’s Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combos, Flute Choir, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and YSU’s saxophonist professor, Dr. James Umble.

In the Fall of 2005, Dave created a concert of compositions and arrangements for the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and guest artist Joe Lovano. The music and performances were such a success that Joe Lovano invited the CJO to perform with him at the world famous jazz club Birdland in July of 2006. The performances of Dave’s music featuring Joe Lovano and the CJO were recorded and a CD should be available in December 2006.