معرفی
Dr. Dave Morgan serves as Professor at the Dana School of Music & University Theatre, Youngstown State University, where he has taught applied bass, composition, and jazz studies since 2001. A renowned composer and double bassist, he maintains an active performance career spanning jazz, classical, and crossover genres with ensembles including The Cleveland Orchestra and Apollo’s Fire.
His research focuses on:
- Jazz and orchestral composition
- Transcription/arrangement of complex works (notably Frank Zappa)
- Cross-genre collaborations blending Baroque and jazz traditions
- Socially engaged multimedia projects through the Nine Lives Initiative
Recent creative output like Blue Is More Than A Color (2020) and Made in Youngstown (2019) demonstrates his mastery of large-ensemble writing and commitment to collaborative artistry featuring prominent soloists. These works consistently integrate technical innovation with contemporary thematic exploration.
Awards and recognition:
- Award of Achievement from Northern Ohio Live for Frank Zappa arrangements
Supported by Chamber Music America and Knight Foundation grants, Morgan mentors students through YSU jazz ensembles while advancing the Nine Lives Project—a multimedia initiative addressing social issues stemming from the 2015 Charleston Church tragedy. His scholarly contributions include publications on jazz improvisation in the Annual Review of Jazz Studies.
