GARY THOMAS
Director and Chair of Jazz Studies at the Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University. Jazz saxophone and flute, jazz, improvisation, ensembles. Studies at Howard University, Washington D.C. Native of Baltimore, MD. Founder of jazz studies degree program at Peabody. First African-American degree program director at the conservatory. Internationally-known tenor saxophonist, flutist, and educator. Has traveled the globe as both a leader and sideman. Performance and recording credits alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughin, Dennis Chambers, Pat Metheny, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Nana Vasconcelos, Ron Carter, Vinnie Colaiuta, Billy Hart, Wynton Marsalis, David Sanborn, Joe Lovano, Geri Allen, Joshua Redman, Bobby McFerrin, Sam Rivers, Vanessa Williams, Betty Carter, George Benson, McCoy Tyner, Randy Brecker, James Newton, Jeff Watts, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Patrice Rushen, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, John Schofield, Tony Williams, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Smith, Steve Coleman, John Patitucci, Ravi Coltrane.