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Neil Slater
Neil Slater composer
Noted jazz pianist and award-winning composer/arranger Neil Slater is a National Endowment
for the Arts Fellowship Grant recipient, and a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Grammy Award nominee. In 2008, Slater retired from his position as chair of the Division of
Jazz Studies and Director of the internationally acclaimed UNT One O Clock Lab Band at the
University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas, and now holds the position of Professor Emeritus.
In addition to creating more than 70 compositions for jazz ensembles, Slater has written for
symphony, mixed chamber groups, a cappella chorus and theater. The American Society
of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) bestowed its Standard Award upon
Slater each year from 1987-2014. Many of Slaters jazz ensemble compositions can be heard on
the recordings of the UNT One O Clock Lab Band.
A renowned jazz educator, Slater has shared his expertise in clinics with students in Australia,
Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and universities from Rhode Island
to California. A former member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra-In-Residence program, Slater,
a pianist, has recorded/performed with name artists including, Mel Lewis, Joe Morello,
Sal Salvador, Frank Strozier, Don Elliott, Bill Watrous, and Danny Stiles.
During his 27-year tenure at UNT, Slater was principal architect in the establishment of a master
of music degree in jazz studies, and has been credited with expanding the scope of its outstanding
jazz studies program. In 1982 he established the UNT Jazz Lecture Series, which annually brings ten
industry giants to UNT in lecture and recital settings; and under Slaters direction in 1994, The
Glenn E. Gomez International Artists Endowment for Jazz Studies artist-in-residence series was
established. More than 300 students are enrolled in the UNT jazz program, which, in 1947, was first
in the United States to offer a bachelors degree in jazz. Prior to his association at UNT, Slater
founded the jazz studies program at the University of Bridgeport, CT.
Slater is featured in the PBS documentary, The State of Tomorrow, A Passion for Jazz. He has been
highlighted as artist and conductor in the publications, The Chronicle of Higher Education,
Downbeat Magazine, Instrumentalist, Texas Monthly, and Southern Living, and is included in
Whos Who in America. Additionally, he has been named Sammons Jazz Artist of the Year by the
Sammons Center for the Arts, Dallas.
Named a Jazz Legend by the University of North Texas, Slater was honored alongside James Riggs
in 2008 with the largest concert event in the history of the esteemed jazz program. He has been
recognized with UNTs prestigious Presidents Award, and Honorary Alumnus Award. Neil Slater Day
was proclaimed by the Town of Addison, TX in 2008, by the City of Denton, TX in 2008, and the the
City of Bridgeport in 2016. He was conferred with a Congressional Citation for Outstanding Career
from the Texas State House of Representatives in 2008; and in Spring 2017 Neil Slater was inducted
to the City of Denton, Texas Walk of Fame.
for the Arts Fellowship Grant recipient, and a National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Grammy Award nominee. In 2008, Slater retired from his position as chair of the Division of
Jazz Studies and Director of the internationally acclaimed UNT One O Clock Lab Band at the
University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas, and now holds the position of Professor Emeritus.
In addition to creating more than 70 compositions for jazz ensembles, Slater has written for
symphony, mixed chamber groups, a cappella chorus and theater. The American Society
of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) bestowed its Standard Award upon
Slater each year from 1987-2014. Many of Slaters jazz ensemble compositions can be heard on
the recordings of the UNT One O Clock Lab Band.
A renowned jazz educator, Slater has shared his expertise in clinics with students in Australia,
Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and universities from Rhode Island
to California. A former member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra-In-Residence program, Slater,
a pianist, has recorded/performed with name artists including, Mel Lewis, Joe Morello,
Sal Salvador, Frank Strozier, Don Elliott, Bill Watrous, and Danny Stiles.
During his 27-year tenure at UNT, Slater was principal architect in the establishment of a master
of music degree in jazz studies, and has been credited with expanding the scope of its outstanding
jazz studies program. In 1982 he established the UNT Jazz Lecture Series, which annually brings ten
industry giants to UNT in lecture and recital settings; and under Slaters direction in 1994, The
Glenn E. Gomez International Artists Endowment for Jazz Studies artist-in-residence series was
established. More than 300 students are enrolled in the UNT jazz program, which, in 1947, was first
in the United States to offer a bachelors degree in jazz. Prior to his association at UNT, Slater
founded the jazz studies program at the University of Bridgeport, CT.
Slater is featured in the PBS documentary, The State of Tomorrow, A Passion for Jazz. He has been
highlighted as artist and conductor in the publications, The Chronicle of Higher Education,
Downbeat Magazine, Instrumentalist, Texas Monthly, and Southern Living, and is included in
Whos Who in America. Additionally, he has been named Sammons Jazz Artist of the Year by the
Sammons Center for the Arts, Dallas.
Named a Jazz Legend by the University of North Texas, Slater was honored alongside James Riggs
in 2008 with the largest concert event in the history of the esteemed jazz program. He has been
recognized with UNTs prestigious Presidents Award, and Honorary Alumnus Award. Neil Slater Day
was proclaimed by the Town of Addison, TX in 2008, by the City of Denton, TX in 2008, and the the
City of Bridgeport in 2016. He was conferred with a Congressional Citation for Outstanding Career
from the Texas State House of Representatives in 2008; and in Spring 2017 Neil Slater was inducted
to the City of Denton, Texas Walk of Fame.
