Dean McNeill is currently the Head of the University of Saskatchewan Department of Music.

2023 Sk Arts article on Dean McNeill and recent USASK B.Mus. Trumpet major Graeme Dyck. Graeme also graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelors degree in Honours math: https://www.sk-arts.ca/news-resources/sk-arts-75th-anniversary/dean-mcneill-and-graeme-dyck.html.

2023 Article on the "Hyperbolic Band" Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra performance featuring new music composer Jeff Presslaff and mathematician Dr. Steven Rayan: https://news.usask.ca/articles/colleges/2023/usask-concert-will-mix-music-and-math.php

2023 Article on Award given to Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra Directed by Dean McNeill: https://artsandscience.usask.ca/news/articles/8665/Longtime_jazz_ensemble_receives_special_recognition_at_Saska?utm_source=paws&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=asupdate

2022 Article on the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestras 'Poetics of Jazz" concert: https://thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/local-arts/saskatoon-jazz-orchestras-poetics-of-jazz-a-local-lyrical-start-to-the-season

2020 Article on UofS Certificate in Jazz: https://artsandscience.usask.ca/news/articles/5354/Alumni_tout_value_of_USask_s_jazz_certificate_program.

2020 Star Phoenix Article: Creative Isolation: Jazz musician Dean McNeill rallies for the arts: https://thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/local-arts/creative-isolation-jazz-musician-dean-mcneill-rallies-for-the-arts.

2019 UofS TEDx Conference speech by Dean McNeill entitled Please Listen Carefully: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHDu3soHFDo.

2018 Bridges magazine article: Luck, opportunity, preparation: Jazz Professor Dean McNeill inspires the next generation through music:  https://lfpress.com/life/bridges/luck-opportunity-preparation-jazz-instructor-dean-mcneill-is-inspiring-the-next-generation-through-music/wcm/af21057d-2b4b-455f-8161-8b8fd916c2f9

Sweetwater Fanfare composed by Paul Suchan performed by Dean McNeill, Guy Few & Aaron Bueckert: https://youtu.be/e1HJT-hV65U. This video was produced by Research Profile and Impact with Media Production and features many USask water security research locations that tells the story of water coming from the glaciers and the Yukon, flowing through the plains, and finishes with USask drone footage.

"Outside Voices" duo performance by Dean McNeill (trumpet) and Richard Carnegie (bass): https://youtu.be/w6Ut8iAhON8.

For more video/audio performance visit McNeill's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJQa8GgbQu8CmpszcCuVLw.

Dean McNeill Bio: Full Professor Dean McNeill is a versatile Canadian trumpet player/composer who regularly performs in both the classical and jazz idioms as a soloist and as an ensemble leader. In 2013 the New Edmonton Wind Sinphonia’s performance of Allan Gilliland’s composition Kalla featured McNeill as guest soloist; Kalla won the 2013 Western Canadian Music Awards (W.C.M.A.) Classical Composition award and 2015 Dean performed Kalla at the World Associate of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles conference in San Jose California with the UofS Wind Orchestra. Dean composed music for the CD Complete Rebirth of the Cool, a project headed by composer Jeff Presslaff, which created new repertoire as inspired by Miles Davis' landmark recording Birth of the Cool. (e.g Presslaff's project used the same instrumentation as Davis' original recording). The Complete Rebirth of the Cool CD was also nominated for a W.C.M.A award in 2014.

Dean is currently the Artistic Director of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra <www.saskatoonjazzorchestra.com> and the UofS Jazz Ensemble <http://artsandscience.usask.ca/music/ensembles/jazz.php>. 

Dean has also lead many professional jazz and classical chamber ensembles (e.g. on Canadian tours and as recorded by CBC Radio), and, he has performed alongside the likes of many notable musicians such as Tommy Banks, Jon Balantyne, David Braid, Dee Daniels, Phil Dwyer, Mark Fewer, Hugh Fraser, Wycliffe Gordon, Kelly Jefferson, Molly Johnson, Ingrid Jensen, Oliver Jones, Al Kay, Jens Lindeman, Bob Mintzer, PJ Perry, Sam Pilafian, Denzal Sinclaire, Brad Turner, Carol Welsman, Allen Vizzutti among others. Dean has also been a member of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (SSO) trumpet section since 1998 and has guest conducted the SSO on pops concerts including KD Lang, Natalie McMaster and Eileen Laverty.

Dean has taught a variety of brass and jazz courses at the University of Saskatchewan for the past 18 years while performing and adjudicating throughout Canada and the United States. 

A Wedge mouthpiece and Yamaha trumpet artist Dean has lead many music eduction special projects such as the UofS's Brass Days celebrations & High School Select-Jazz educational weekend. Dean has also been an educational contributor to the Saskatoon Jazz Society's Jazz Ensemble Workshops (2013-2015), the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival's Jazz Intensive student jazz camp (2000-current) and, the International Music Camp's jazz week (i.e. conducting both student ensemble and IMC's jazz faculty big band).

Dean is the recipient of the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival’s Special Recognition Award, UofS Student Union Teaching Excellence Award, UofS Dept. of Music’s Dwaine Nelson Teaching Award, and, a Downbeat Magazine big band arranging award.

Dean holds music degrees from the University of North Texas (Masters), McGill University (Undergraduate), and Grant MacEwan University (Music Diploma), he has released two critically acclaimed CDs as a leader Prairie Fire: Large Jazz Ensemble Music of Dean McNeill and Mélange: New Music For Trumpet and Piano ( http://www.msrcd.com/catalog/cd/MS1294) and has studied jazz arranging privately with Paris Rutherford, George Blenheim, and, Ed Neumeister.

Dean’s past administrative activities include serving on the board of Jazz Canada (i.e. the Canadian chapter of the International Association of Jazz Education), Canadian Music Centre (i.e. Prairie Region Board), and, as Head of the Department of Music at the University of Saskatchewan (2004-2009).

For more information visit www.deanmcneill.com.

For More information on the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra visit: www.saskatoonjazzorchestra.com.

Related video links:

(1) Dean McNeill performs Sweetwater Fanfare composed by Paul Suchan with Guy Few and Aaron Bueckert https://youtu.be/e1HJT-hV65U

(2) Description of McNeill's musical contribution to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra's Suite 150: A Big Band Portrait CD https://youtu.be/kEzGV4kCs6A

(3) A conversation between Dean McNeill and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra Conductor Eric Paetkau discussing the differences and similarities between classical and jazz music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owgrzmlaKew&feature=youtu.be

(4) A video describing the recent work and mandate of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHOLyeKnRdU

(5) A 1 hour concert as performed by the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra with special guest Canadian musical icon Ron Paley (piano/composer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyLpfbJkW1Q

(6) A 1 hour concert of Dean McNeill playing with a string ensemble and jazz rhythm section including guest artist and juno award winner Chad Linsley (piano): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63HTp2oPfiU&feature=youtu.be

(7) Short TV interview re connections between Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra and Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra: https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-jazz-orchestra-continues-big-band-tradition-1.4591236

(8) Premier performance of Scene of Plains Peoples Mov. III. The Fiddlers Where Grey Stones Stand composed by Paul Suchan, performed by the UofS Jazz Ensemble conducted by Dean McNeill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKOcwR1CbI0&feature=youtu.be

(9) A 2008 video on Engaging Minds at the UofS (i.e. comments on faculty research, scholarly and artist work): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfOCy4Blcj8&gl=CA 

(10) A video demonstration of an obscure brass instrument called the Jazz-O-Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOcfHJfkjbM&feature=youtu.be

(11) Promotional video: The rediscovery of the orchestral music by Heinz Moehn: https://youtu.be/Y6u6RAgZtrY

(12) Dean McNeill performs that Last Post and Reveille: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-orbOoNb1Y&feature=youtu.be

(13) "Outside Voices" trumpet & bass duo concert with Richard Carnegie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si4ctJoXMB8&feature=youtu.be

(14) Fanfare from the Albason https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqUeVY8hCgI

(15) A Future Of Hope trumpet fanfare video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQwn834k6Ow

McNeill's Selected CD Discography:

• 2020 Saskatchewan Suite (composed by Fred Stride, commissioned by the Regina Jazz Orchestra) 

• 2018 Suite 150: A Big Band Portrait (Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, McNeill composed 1 movement)

• 2017 Heidi Munro and the Real Groovy Band

• 2016 Anna Maria Soprano Songs In Loving Memory of my Father (with McNeill on Let The Bright Seraphim)

• 2016 Skyscapes, U of S Wind Orchestra (with McNeill as soloist)

• 2015 *Bumper Crop VI Continuance, U of S Jazz Ensemble

• 2014 Complete Rebirth of the Cool (nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award, http://www.jeffpresslaff.com)

• 2013 O Music (contains Kalla featuring McNeill as soloist. Kalla won the Western Canadian Music Award for Best Classical Composition http://www.allangilliland.com)

• 2010 *Bumper Crop V Water Colors, U of S Jazz Ensemble

• 2008 Mélange: New Music for Trumpet and Piano, http://www.msrcd.com/catalog/cd/MS1294

• 2007 *Prairie Fire: The Large Jazz Ensemble Music of Dean McNeill, www.cellarlive.com

• 2006 Urban Diversions

• 2006-2007 *Bumper Crop IV Perceptions, U of S Jazz Ensemble

• 2004-2005 *Bumper Crop III Prairie Rhythms, U of S Jazz Ensemble

• 2004 Morning Pages, Kim Fontaine, www.kimfontaine.ca

• 2002-2003 *Bumper Crop II Outstanding In Their Fields, U of S Jazz Ensemble

• 2000-2001 *Bumper Crop, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

• 1998 Two O'clock Lab Band A Salute to Benny Carter, University of North Texas Two O'clock Lab Band

• 1998 Teaching Music Through Performance In Band (volume two), University of North Texas Symphonic Band, www.amazon.com

• 1997 Wind Dances, University of North Texas Wind Symphony

• 1997 Two O'clock Lab Band, University of North Texas Two O'clock Lab Band

• 1997 Holsinger 5, The Music of David Holsinger - University of North Texas Symphonic Band, amazon.com

• 1997 Live at the Arts Centre Red Deer College, Dean McNeill Jazz Quartet

• 1992 Cookin' The Books, McGill Jazz Ensemble 1, www.music.mcgill.ca

• 1990 Late Late Show, McGill University Swing Band, www.music.mcgill.ca

• 1990 When I Sing (Alberta Cancer Foundation & Colleen Frances Lazoruk)

• 1988 Day and Night CD with guest artist David Liebman, McGill Jazz Ensemble 1, www.music.mcgill.ca

                           * Conducted by Dean McNeill

Selected CD Discography

·      2020 Saskatchewan Suite The Story of Us, (CD & DVD), Regina Jazz Society, https://chronographrecords.com/releases/saskatchewan-suite/

·     2018 Suite 150: A Big Band Portrait (Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, McNeill composed 1 movement)

·     2017 Heidi Munro and the Real Groovy Band

·    2016 Anna Maria Soprano Songs In Loving Memory of my Father (with McNeill on Let The Bright Seraphim)

·      2016 Skyscapes, U of S Wind Orchestra (with McNeill as soloist)

·      2015 *Bumper Crop VI Continuance, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

·      2014 Complete Rebirth of the Cool, nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award http://www.jeffpresslaff.com

·      2013 O Music, contains piece Kalla featuring McNeill as soloist. Kalla won the Western Canadian Music Award for Best Classical Composition http://www.allangilliland.com

·      2010 *Bumper Crop V Water Colors, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

·      2008 Mélange: New Music for Trumpet and Piano, www.msrcd.com

·      2007 Prairie Fire: The Large Jazz Ensemble Music of Dean McNeill, www.cellarlive.com

·      2006 Urban Diversions

·      2006-2007 *Bumper Crop IV Perceptions, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

·      2004-2005 *Bumper Crop III Prairie Rhythms, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

·      2004 Morning Pages, Kim Fontaine, www.kimfontaine.ca

·      2002-2003 *Bumper Crop II Outstanding In Their Fields, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

·      2000-2001 *Bumper Crop, U of S Jazz Ensemble website

·      1998 Two O'clock Lab Band A Salute to Benny Carter, University of North Texas Two O'clock Lab Band

·      1998 Teaching Music Through Performance In Band (volume two), University of North Texas Symphonic Band, www.amazon.com

·      1997 Wind Dances, University of North Texas Wind Symphony

·      1997 Two O'clock Lab Band, University of North Texas Two O'clock Lab Band

·      1997 Holsinger 5, The Music of David Holsinger - University of North Texas Symphonic Band, amazon.com

·      1997 Live at the Arts Centre Red Deer College, Dean McNeill Jazz Quartet

·      1992 Cookin' The Books, McGill Jazz Ensemble 1, www.music.mcgill.ca

·      1990 Late Late Show, McGill University Swing Band, www.music.mcgill.ca

·      1990 When I Sing (Alberta Cancer Foundation & Colleen Frances Lazoruk)

·      1988 Day and Night CD with guest artist David Liebman, McGill Jazz Ensemble 1, www.music.mcgill.ca

* Conducted by Dean McNeill

McNeill’s CBC Radio-Related Musical Performance Activity:

McNeill, June 26, 2010: CBC Radio recording of Metro Jazz Ensemble at Saskatchewan Jazz Festival featuring special guest pianist Oliver Jones O.C., Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

McNeill, January 25, 2011: CBC Radio recording of Art Pepper + 11 concert, Quance Theatre, UofS Education Building, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

October 26^th, 2008: CBC Radio recording of the Dean McNeill Jazz Quartet. Concert celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the CBC building, Regina, Saskatchewan.

December 29, 2007: Radio recording of CBC the Made in Canada-Prairie Fire concert. Concert/radio broadcast repertoire featured McNeill’s original compositions for large jazz ensemble as well as works by other prominent Canadian jazz composers Bill Mahar (Montreal), Hugh Fraser (Victoria), John McLeod (Toronto), and Mike Heriott (Toronto), Quance Theatre Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

October 20, 2007: CBC Radio recording of the 2007 Western Canadian Music Awards Classical Showcase concert. McNeill-trumpet, Bonnie Nicholson-piano, Zion United Church, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

June 25, 2005: CBC Radio recording of CBC the John McCaslin Quintet at the SaskTel Jazz Festival, Regina, Saskatchewan.

July 1, 2004 CBC Radio recording of CBC the Peter Dyksman Quintet at SaskTel Jazz Festival, Bassment jazz club, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

visit deanmcneill.com

Courses in Jazz History, Jazz Improvisation, Trumpet Performance (classical and jazz), Large Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Theory, Jazz Arranging, Jazz Pedagogy, INCC 220.1 (15 CU Jazz Certificate capstone course)

Baroque Trumpet Brass Bumper Crop Classical Composition Creativity Improvisation SJO Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensemble brass classical music education jazz jazz arranging jazz composition music music education trumpet

Trumpet Performance (Jazz and Classical)

Jazz Composition

Jazz Improvisation

Large Jazz Ensemble Directing

Administration

Classical Trumpet

Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra

Baroque Trumpet

 MacEwan University (Dip.), McGill University (B.Mus.) and the University of North Texas (M.Mus.).