Thomas Walsh

Thomas Walsh serves as the Robert J. Waller Sr. and Robert J. Waller Jr. Professor of Music, Professor of Saxophone, and Chair of the Department of Jazz Studies at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Education:

• D.M., Doctor of Music, Indiana University, 1999
• M.M., Master of Music, Indiana University, 1991
• B.M., Bachelor of Music, Indiana University, 1988

Research and Performance Focus: Professor Walsh maintains an active international performance career spanning jazz and classical saxophone repertoire, with documented engagements across China, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Azerbaijan, and Costa Rica. His performance highlights include premiere interpretations of Scott Jones’ The Upward Stream (2013), Chris Rutkowski’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone (2008), and David Baker’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone (2004). Discographic contributions include solo albums Intersections (2010), New Life (2002), and Shaking the Pumpkin (1998), alongside collaborative works with the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra and Sylvia McNair.

Professional Recognition: As a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Artist, he has maintained continuous faculty involvement at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops since 1991. His conference presentations at International Association for Jazz Education, Jazz Education Network (including “Steps to Better Ballad Playing” at 2014 JEN Conference), North American Saxophone Alliance, and World Saxophone Congress demonstrate sustained scholarly engagement.