Bio
Dr. Seth Carper is a versatile saxophonist, woodwind doubler, and music educator who currently resides in Kyle, Texas. Classically trained and stage-tested as both a jazz and commercial musician, Dr. Carper’s career spans all aspects of saxophone performance and education.
Originally from a small farm in rural North Carolina, Dr. Carper began his educational career as the director of bands at Holmes Middle School in Eden, North Carolina. He later transitioned into higher education, teaching at Davidson College and Pfeiffer University. He earned a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education and Classical Saxophone from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where he studied under Dr. Bill Gora and Mr. Todd Wright.
In 2008, Dr. Carper moved to New York City to advance his studies and performance career. He earned a Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Performance from the City College of New York (CCNY), studying under the tutelage of Grammy Award-winning bassist John Patitucci and acclaimed saxophonists Jon Gordon and John Ellis. During his five years in New York City, he performed with some of the finest musicians in the world and taught at both CCNY and the Third Street Music Settlement.
Dr. Carper then relocated to Austin, Texas, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. From 2013 to 2020, he became an integral part of the central Texas jazz scene, working in high demand as a performer, educator, and composer. During this first stint in Austin, he taught at Texas State University and co-founded the NOW Jazz Orchestra alongside Dr. Adrian Ruiz to provide a dedicated outlet for new jazz orchestra compositions in the region. He was also a founding member of Grammy-winner Christopher Cross’s group, Freedonia, recording the album Firefly with them in 2018, and later played on Ruthie Foster’s Grammy-nominated album, Live at the Paramount, in 2020.
In 2020, Dr. Carper relocated to Upstate New York. Over the next five years, he taught at Cornell, Syracuse, Binghamton, and Mansfield Universities. He also continued to record high-profile projects during this period, including the 2023 release, A White Horse From Jerusalem... alongside NEA Jazz Master David Liebman and the Central New York Jazz Orchestra (CNYJO).
Throughout his career, Dr. Carper has recorded and performed with a multitude of jazz greats, pop entertainers, and classical ensembles. His career highlights include performances with legendary Grammy-winning groups such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, The O'Jays, Lou Christie, The Drifters, and Little Anthony and the Imperials. His classical credits include performances with the North Carolina Symphony, the Piedmont Wind Symphony of NC, and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Carper has since returned to Texas State University, where he once again teaches in the institution's rapidly growing jazz studies program.
Originally from a small farm in rural North Carolina, Dr. Carper began his educational career as the director of bands at Holmes Middle School in Eden, North Carolina. He later transitioned into higher education, teaching at Davidson College and Pfeiffer University. He earned a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education and Classical Saxophone from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where he studied under Dr. Bill Gora and Mr. Todd Wright.
In 2008, Dr. Carper moved to New York City to advance his studies and performance career. He earned a Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Performance from the City College of New York (CCNY), studying under the tutelage of Grammy Award-winning bassist John Patitucci and acclaimed saxophonists Jon Gordon and John Ellis. During his five years in New York City, he performed with some of the finest musicians in the world and taught at both CCNY and the Third Street Music Settlement.
Dr. Carper then relocated to Austin, Texas, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. From 2013 to 2020, he became an integral part of the central Texas jazz scene, working in high demand as a performer, educator, and composer. During this first stint in Austin, he taught at Texas State University and co-founded the NOW Jazz Orchestra alongside Dr. Adrian Ruiz to provide a dedicated outlet for new jazz orchestra compositions in the region. He was also a founding member of Grammy-winner Christopher Cross’s group, Freedonia, recording the album Firefly with them in 2018, and later played on Ruthie Foster’s Grammy-nominated album, Live at the Paramount, in 2020.
In 2020, Dr. Carper relocated to Upstate New York. Over the next five years, he taught at Cornell, Syracuse, Binghamton, and Mansfield Universities. He also continued to record high-profile projects during this period, including the 2023 release, A White Horse From Jerusalem... alongside NEA Jazz Master David Liebman and the Central New York Jazz Orchestra (CNYJO).
Throughout his career, Dr. Carper has recorded and performed with a multitude of jazz greats, pop entertainers, and classical ensembles. His career highlights include performances with legendary Grammy-winning groups such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, The O'Jays, Lou Christie, The Drifters, and Little Anthony and the Imperials. His classical credits include performances with the North Carolina Symphony, the Piedmont Wind Symphony of NC, and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Carper has since returned to Texas State University, where he once again teaches in the institution's rapidly growing jazz studies program.
Curriculum Vitae
| dr_seth_carper_cv.pdf |