Neil Slater was a Professor in the Jazz Studies Division of the College of Music at the University of North Texas. He was the Chairman of the Jazz Studies Division and the Director of Lab Bands. Mr. Slater has directed The One O’Clock Lab Band, which has performed and recorded all over the world. 

He taught Conducting College Jazz Ensembles, coordinated the Jazz Lecture Series, and taught advanced arranging students. He was the advisor for all graduate jazz recitals. 

About Neil Slater: Award-winning composer and arranger Neil Slater was chair of the division of jazz studies at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas. Mr. Slater was also the director of the internationally acclaimed UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. A 1995 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Grant recipient, Slater was selected as a Grammy Award nominee by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1993 and has been recognized by ASCAP each year since 1987. In addition to creating more than 60 compositions for jazz ensembles, Slater has written for symphony, mixed chamber groups, a cappella chorus and theater. 

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has bestowed its "Standard Award" upon Slater each year since 1987. A noted jazz educator, Slater has shared his expertise in clinics with students in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, Mexico and at universities from Rhode Island to California. A pianist and former member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra-In-Residence program, Slater has recorded/performed with name artists Buddy DeFranco, Dave Weckl, Mel Lewis, Art Davis and Joe Morello, among others. Prior to his association at UNT, he founded the jazz studies program and established MM and BM degree programs in jazz at the University of Bridgeport, CT. He has conducted All-State jazz ensembles in more than a dozen states. 

At UNT, Slater was principal advocate in the establishment of a master of music degree in jazz studies. More than 400 students are enrolled in the UNT jazz program, which, in 1947, was first in the United States to offer a bachelor’s degree in jazz. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Slater received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Mansfield University, his Master of Music in Composition from Duquesne University and pursued additional study at Columbia University.