Bob Thornton Instructor of Music Phone: 407-823-3377 Office: Colbourn Hall 545 Email: rthornto@mail.ucf.edu

Bob Thornton joined the music faculty in the spring of 2003 after moving to the Orlando area from Philadelphia. His responsibilities in the department include teaching music fundamentals to non-music majors and teaching courses in ear training and sight singing. Thornton received degrees from the University of North Florida and Indiana University, graduating summa cum laude from both. He served as pianist in the top jazz ensemble at both universities and was presented the Outstanding Scholar Award upon graduating from UNF.

Thornton performs regularly as a freelance jazz pianist in both solo and group formats. In 2002, he released a self-produced recording, consisting entirely of original compositions and arrangements, entitled Looking Back, Looking Forward. He recorded the CD with his working trio from Philadelphia. In addition to performing, Thornton is a prolific composer and arranger of small group and large ensemble jazz.

Thornton studied with Dr. David Baker, Dr. Luke Gillespie, Kevin Bales, Dr. Bill Prince, and Don Zentz. Additionally, he has performed in master classes for Joe Lovano, Ellis Marsalis, John Scofield, and Ramsey Lewis, among many others. In 2000, he was invited to participate in the Steans Institute for Young Jazz Artists at Ravinia, where he studied with Rufus Reid and James Moody. In 2001, Thornton was selected as one of six national semifinalists in the American Jazz Piano Competition sponsored by the American Pianists Association.

Although Thornton's main interest is jazz and improvised music, he has a strong background in classical piano and pipe organ as well. He served as a church organist since the age of 13 and has won numerous awards and scholarships performing on both piano and organ.

Prior to joining UCF, Thornton held faculty positions at Lafayette College in Easton, PA and Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.