Fine and Applied Arts Directory

Jonathan Beckett is the director of the Parkland Wind Ensemble, and teaches Music Appreciation, Non-Western Music, and American Music History, as well as applied private instruction at Parkland College. He was guest director of the Illinois State University Jazz I big band ensemble in Fall 2015. Dr. Beckett has been a professional saxophone player for over 30 years. He earned the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance from the University of Illinois in 2013, and Master of Music from the University of North Texas in 2006. He was a featured soloist and clinician with the One O’clock Lab Band at North Texas, as well as with the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. Dr. Beckett recently recorded the CD “Jonny Beckett, Son of a Mother”, released on the Armored Records label. The disc has received a favorable review in Cadence magazine. Dr. Beckett has shared the stage with Gene Perla, Harry Connick Jr., Rosemary Clooney, Steve Allen, Jimmy Heath, the Temptations, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, The Ojays, and many others. He has been active in the Champaign-Urbana and Central Illinois area playing with his own band as well as Candy Foster and Shades of Blue, Bruiser and the Virtues, Kevin Hart and the Vibe Tribe, and many other local musicians.