Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
Ryan Middagh is Chair of Jazz and Global Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. An innovative educator, composer, arranger, saxophonist, bandleader, and clinician, Middagh has shared his distinctive musical voice with audiences and students around the world. A passionate advocate for jazz education at all levels, he is dedicated to creative programming and expanding access to jazz in diverse communities.
A prolific composer and arranger, Middagh has received numerous commissions from musicians and ensembles across the United States. He has composed and arranged for Grammy-winning artists, DownBeat award-winning educational groups, and leading collegiate and professional ensembles. Notable collaborations include Victor Wooten, Wycliffe Gordon, Michael Dease, Joel Frahm, and Blair colleague Jeff Coffin. His works are published by iJazz, UNC Jazz Press, and are also available through J.W. Pepper.
Equally accomplished as a soloist, collaborator, and bandleader, Middagh has performed at major jazz festivals around the world, including tours and cultural programs sponsored by the U.S. State Department. In Nashville, he is an in-demand studio musician known for his versatility across genres. As a bandleader, Middagh founded the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra—an ensemble of top studio, touring, and educator musicians in Nashville. The Orchestra’s recordings and live performances showcase Middagh’s arranging and compositional voice; their 2025 release Tenor Madness garnered strong critical attention for its homage to saxophone traditions and Nashville’s vibrant jazz community.
Middagh is an artist and clinician for Yamaha Saxophones, JodyJazz Mouthpieces, and D’Addario Reeds.
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Saturday, January 10, 2026
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM CST
