Robert Brooks

Dr. Robert Brooks is a jazz saxophonist and educator dedicated to cultivating the tradition of jazz education. He holds a DMA and MM from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a BM from Central Michigan University. He currently serves as associated faculty in Jazz Studies at Ohio State. Robert’s most recent releases, “Accidental Nomad” and “New Standard Duo” on Ropeadope Records, have received critical acclaim. He has toured with Reginald Chapman’s “Pressure Fit,” Sun Stereo, and The Lake Effect, throughout the Midwest and East Coast. He has also performed with jazz legends including Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Tom “Bones” Malone, Jeff Hamilton Trio, Jim Pugh, Joel Spencer, Tito Carillo, Nathan Gunn, The Temptations and many more.

Brooks' passion for jazz performance and pedagogy comes through the lens of small-ensemble performance and a focus on exploring improvisation within the language of jazz and from other disciplines. In addition to his expertise in jazz improvisation, he also has strong roots in the tradition of classical saxophone, clarinet and flute; he has performed in pit orchestras for the national tours of Kinky Boots and Chicago as well as multiple productions at The Little Theatre on the Square.

At Ohio State, Robert Brooks' duties include coaching jazz combos, directing the Jazz Combo Recital Series, teaching jazz saxophone lessons, teaching Advanced Jazz Improvisation, directing the Ohio State Jazz Festival, and involvement with the summer Jazz Camp.

Brooks has toured with The World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Reginald Chapman’s “Pressure Fit,” Sun Stereo, and The Lake Effect and also performed with jazz legends including Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Tom “Bones” Malone, Jeff Hamilton Trio, Jim Pugh, Joel Spencer, Tito Carillo, Nathan Gunn, The Temptations and many more.