Joe Eckert was appointed the first full-time Professor of Saxophone at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas in 2007.  In 2011, he assumed additional duties as Director of Jazz Studies. He retired from full-time collegiate teaching after the 2022-23 academic year and relocated to the Orlando area.  From 1987-2007, he served as Professor of Saxophone at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, and Director of Jazz Studies from 2004-07.  He retired in 2004 from a 20-year career as lead alto saxophonist/woodwind specialist and music director for the USAF Band’s Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C. While with the “Note” he toured extensively across North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  As producer for the “Jazz Heritage Concert Series,” he collaborated with some of the great names in jazz to include Louie Bellson, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Cleo Laine, David Liebman, Mike Mainieri and Clark Terry. He has also performed with Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Jon Faddis, Bunky Green, J.J. Johnson, Carmen McRae, Sammy Nestico, Tommy Newsom, Red Rodney, Kenny Werner, Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Arturo Sandoval, Dr. Billy Taylor, Joe Williams and many others.  As coordinator of the “Jazz Outreach Education Series,” he brought the expertise of Airmen of Note to aspiring music students throughout the country.  Some of his freelance activities include performances with the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra and tours with Liza Minnelli and Nelson Riddle.  In the popular music world he has performed with the likes of Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Anthony Newley, Natalie Cole and Michael Jackson.

Mr. Eckert received his B.M. from Baldwin-Wallace University in saxophone performance and went on to complete graduate and post-graduate studies at the University of North Texas, where he was a member of the famous One O’Clock Band, Wind Ensemble, and soloist with the Symphony Orchestra.  He has also held teaching positions at Southern Methodist University (1980-81) and West Virginia University (1981-84).

Comfortable in both jazz and classical idioms, he was the only member of the faculty at Shenandoah to have been a guest soloist with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Brass Quintet and has performed with the TCU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble.  While at TCU, he remained active as a performer, playing regularly with the Fort Worth Symphony, touring shows, and as a jazz soloist and recitalist nationally.  He has served as an adjudicator and clinician at music festivals, high schools, and colleges nationally and internationally. Since relocating to the Orlando area, he has started to perform regularly with small groups and big bands.  He is continuing his commitment to music education and has started working with the jazz bands at several high schools in the area.  Mr. Eckert’s professional affiliations include The American Federation of Musicians, Music Educators National Conference, and the Jazz Education Network.  Mr. Eckert is a Yamaha-Performing Artist/Clinician and a VENN Performing Artist.