Heath Jones serves as associate professor of music at Oklahoma Christian University where he directs the jazz ensemble, the sweat band (basketball band), teaches saxophone, jazz improvisation, music technology and music education methods courses. Heath has performed on saxophone with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lesley Gore, Frankie Avalon, Jim Nabors, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Wayne Newton, and various other road show acts. Heath is from Garland Texas and graduated from the Dallas Arts Magnet high school. He performed in ensembles with trumpeter Roy Hargrove and the Texas All-State band. In 1988 their jazz combo was ranked the best high school jazz combo in the nation from the IAJE along with receiving several DeeBee awards from Down Beat magazine. After high school, Heath attended Oklahoma Christian University where he received the Distinguished Performer Award, Outstanding Music Major Award, Band President, and IAJE distinguished soloist award, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. During his bachelor degree, Heath studied saxophone and clarinet with Dr. Jack Sisson, improvisation with Lee Rucker, and played lead alto in the UCO jazz band 1. He then attended Baylor University where he studied saxophone with Michael Jacobson, jazz improvisation with Vern Sielert, was a Concerto winner, and a IAJE outstanding jazz soloist. Heath then began doctoral work at the University of North Texas where he studied with Jim Riggs saxophone, jazz improvisation with Mike Steinel and participated in the Jazz Lab Bands. After teaching public school in Mustang, OK. Heath became a faculty member at his alma mater. In 2005, Heath graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a PhD in Music Education. While at OU, Heath studied saxophone with Gail Hall, clarinet with Jerry Neil Smith, and did research in Jazz Education. Heath is a Cannonball Saxophone artist and can be heard on his new album “Lookin’ Back”. Heath has served as President of the Oklahoma chapter of IAJE and was recently named the 2008 University Jazz Educator of the year.