Joe Eckert is the first full-time Professor of Saxophone at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. From 1987-2007, he served as Professor of Saxophone at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia and Director of Jazz Studies from 2004-2007. He retired in 2004 from a 20 year career as lead alto saxophonist, woodwind specialist, and director for the United States Air Force Band's Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Eckert received his Bachelor of Music from Baldwin-Wallace College in saxophone performance and went on to complete graduate and post-graduate studies at the University of North Texas. He has also held teaching positions at Southern Methodist University (1980-81) and West Virginia University (1981-84).
Comfortable in both jazz and classical idioms, he was the only member of the faculty at Shenandoah to have been a guest soloist with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Brass Quintet and has performed with the TCU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble. He continues to remain active as a performer, playing regularly with the Fort Worth Symphony, and as a jazz soloist and recitalist nationally. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician at music festivals, high schools, and colleges nationally and internationally. Mr. Eckert's professional affiliations include the American Federation of Musicians, Texas Music Educators Association, Jazz Education Network, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and the North American Saxophone Alliance.
Mr. Eckert is a Yamaha Performing Artist and a Légère Reeds Performing Artist.
