Biography

University of Saskatchewan - Music

Full Professor of Brass/Jazz at University of Saskatchewan
Higher Education
Dean
McNeill
Saskatchewan, Canada
Canadian trumpet player/composer Dean McNeill is a Professor of Brass and Jazz at the University of Saskatchewan. Dean has received a Special Recognition Award from the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival for his ongoing contributions to jazz in Saskatchewan and the UofS’s Student Union's Teaching Excellence Award. In 2013 Dean performed as soloists with the New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia, Allan Gilliland’s composition Kalla (i.e. for solo trumpet and wind ensemble). Kalla won the Western Canadian Music Award for Classical Composition of the Year. Dean currently performs in the Saskatoon Symphony and directs the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, the UofS Jazz Ensemble, and the Saskatoon Jazz Society’s Jazz Workshop program.

Recently Dean composed music for and performed on, Jeff Presslaff's Complete Rebirth of the Cool CD. This CD has been nominated for a 2014 Western Canadian Music Award for best jazz CD.

Dean has directed the International Music Camp’s Faculty Jazz Ensemble, UofS Kenderdine Campus’ Jazz Composer’s Retreat program, and has lead many of his own professional large and small jazz ensembles on Canadian tours, many of which have been recorded by CBC radio. A Yamaha performing artist Dean has been recorded on over 20 CDs, has performed as a guest artist with the Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver Jazz Orchestras and adjudicated throughout Canada and the Unites States. Dean has guest conducted the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and performed alongside the likes of Hugh Fraser, Tom Banks, Brad Turner, Kelly Jefferson, David Braid, Bob Mintzer, Denzal Sinclaire, PJ Perry, Ingrid Jensen, Jon Balantyne, and many others.

A recipient of the UofS Department of Music’s Dwaine Nelson Teaching Award Dean’s past administrative experience includes serving on the board of Jazz Canada (i.e. Canadian chapter of the International Association of Jazz Education), Canadian Music Centre (i.e. Prairie Region), and, Head of the Department of Music at the UofS (2004-2009).

www.deanmcneill.com.