Neal Alger

Neal Alger is a Jazz Guitar Lecturer at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, also teaching at Elmhurst College and DePaul University. He holds a BM in Jazz Guitar Performance from Northern Illinois University, studied under Fareed Haque, and has been a prominent Chicago musician since 1995. Known for versatility, he collaborates with artists like Patricia Barber (Blue Note Records) and leads projects such as the Brazilian Trio and Duo Tempero Brasileiro. His teaching focuses on individualized jazz education, emphasizing creativity in improvisation and arrangement.

• Affiliations: Roosevelt University (Artist Faculty), Elmhurst College, DePaul University
• Education: BM Jazz Guitar, Northern Illinois University (summa cum laude)

Research interests include Brazilian music traditions (choro, samba), jazz-rock fusion, and cross-genre improvisation. Alger presents workshops on pentatonics in jazz and pop/jazz arrangement techniques. His performance groups include the Neal Alger Quintet (original compositions) and NEEDLES IN THE RED (rock project).

Recent performances include residencies at Jazz Showcase (Chicago) and international tours. Active in Chicago's jazz scene, he balances academic teaching with leadership roles in multiple ensembles.