Chip McNeill is currently a tenured full professor and Chairman of Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois. He was formerly associate professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Florida International University. Prior to that he was associate professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Tech University for six years. He currently tours with Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band as well as with Grammy award winning vocalist Natalie Cole. He is formerly the musical director and jazz tenor saxophonist for Grammy award winning recording artist Arturo Sandoval and has recorded with Arturo on his CD “Americana” as well as the Grammy Award winning release "Hot House" on Encoded Music. The “Hot House” CD won a Grammy Award for “Best Latin Jazz Performance”. Prior to Arturo Sandoval, McNeill was the musical director and jazz saxophonist for legendary jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. McNeill produced, wrote, and performed on five CD’s with Maynard Ferguson including “Swingin’ For Schurr”(’01) Concord Jazz with guest jazz vocalist Diane Schurr, "One More Trip To Birdland" ('96) Concord Jazz, "These Cats Can Swing" ('95) Concord Jazz, "Live From London" ('94) Warner Bros. Jazz, and "Footpath Cafe"('93) Avion Jazz.
McNeill's list of recording credits as a jazz tenor saxophonist have included such notables as Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Nat Adderley, David Liebman, Maynard Ferguson, Duffy Jackson, Ira Sullivan, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Ted Shumate and Larry Willis. His past performances include numerous world tours with Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band, and the North Texas State 1 o'clock Lab Band. Mr. McNeill’s latest release is “Four Steps-3” on the Capri label.
