"Dr. Jeremy L. George is the Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of music at Huston-Tillotson University. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida under the leadership of Dr. Julian E. White and Dr. Shelby Chipman. He received his Master’s Degree in Music Education and Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University. Dr. George’s dissertation is entitled “A Firm Foundation: Examining the Influence of Black Gospel Music on Jazz Pedagogy.” His major professors are Professor Rodney Jordan, Professor Leon Anderson and Dr. Clifford Madsen. Dr. George served as a public-school music educator for 10 years.His most notable role was band director at James S. Rickards High School from 2015 – 2021. Here he played an integral roll in developing the entire program. His commitment to excellence led to him being awarded the Tom Bishop Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association in 2018 which recognizes directors for making a huge positive difference in a relatively short period of time. Under his tutelage the Raider band has received superior ratings on the district and state level in Symphonic Band, Marching Band and in Jazz Band.As a professional, Jeremy also serves as a faculty member for the Austin Youth Jazz Orchestra, adjudicator and clinician for the Florida Bandmasters Association and serves on the state FBA Jazz committee. His professional affiliations include the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc., and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.As a performer, Dr. George is a freelance bassist in the Austin area. He is the former bassist and musical director for Tallahassee Night’s Live, a highly active live entertainment guild with an ambitious performance schedule throughout the southeast region, and has shared the stage with on many nationally acclaimed Grammy Award-winning Gospel, Jazz, Hip Hop and R&B recording artists such as Ledisi, Samara Joy, Andre Hayward, Diego Rivera, Tom Browne, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Marvin Sapp, Dorothy Norwood, and Eric Roberson just to name a few."