Clyde Connor

Clyde J. Connor is an Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Music at the University of Florida. A native of Grove, Oklahoma, he holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma (1988) and a Master of Music from the University of Florida (2016). His career spans military service, civilian performance, and academia.

Connor’s research and performance interests focus on jazz arranging, percussion, and composition. He has performed with renowned artists such as Dave Brubeck, Arturo Sandoval, and Clark Terry, and his works are performed globally by professional and university ensembles. He has been a session drummer at Omega Recording Studios and has contributed arrangements for major publishers like Barnhouse and Warner Brothers.

Post-military service in the U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble, Connor freelanced extensively, including with the Baltimore Symphony and at Blues Alley. He currently serves as the drummer for the Jacksonville International Jazz Piano Competition and Festival.

Connor’s teaching experience includes adjunct roles at the University of Central Florida (2005) and the University of Florida. His career reflects a blend of artistic innovation, educational dedication, and collaborative excellence in jazz and percussion.