Music that inspires, connects, and elevates.
Powerful musical experiences are at the heart of what I do, and my goal is to bring clarity, energy, and artistry to every ensemble. I’m dedicated to exceptional craft—from the score to the stage.
Welcome—I’m Chip McNeill, and for me, music is about connection, creativity, and shared experience.
Across my work as a saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator, I strive to help ensembles discover their voice, unlock their potential, and create moments that resonate with audiences long after the last note fades.
My background spans Grammy-winning performances, international tours, university teaching, and published writing, giving me the tools to collaborate with directors, orchestras, artists, and students of every level.
Every project is approached with care, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence—because great music deserves to be felt, remembered, and celebrated.
Whether performing in intimate clubs or directing large-scale productions, my work as a saxophonist, composer, arranger, and former music director for Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, and Arturo Sandoval shapes everything I do.
SAXOPHONIST
Chip McNeill is an internationally respected jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist whose career bridges iconic bandleading, global performance, and artistic leadership. He served as musical director and featured saxophonist for Grammy Award winning artists Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, and Arturo Sandoval, recording with Sandoval on the Grammy winning album Hot House.
Chip has performed at leading jazz festivals and venues worldwide including North Sea, Montreux, Monterey, Pori, Warsaw, and Capital Jazz Festivals, as well as renowned clubs such as the Blue Note in New York, Tokyo, and Osaka, Blues Alley, the House of Blues, and Jazz Showcase Chicago.
His performance credits include collaborations with Doc Severinsen, Nat Adderley, David Liebman, Larry Willis, and Ira Sullivan, along with world tours with major jazz orchestras and ensembles. He continues to tour with his own groups while maintaining an active international presence.
COMPOSER AND ARRANGER
Chip McNeill is a Grammy Award winning composer and arranger whose work spans jazz, orchestral, and vocal settings. He earned a Grammy Award and three additional Grammy nominations for arrangements on Arturo Sandoval’s Hot House, and later recorded orchestral arrangements for Sandoval’s HBO film For Love or Country, performing them with major symphony orchestras across the United States.
As music director for Maynard Ferguson, Chip recorded original compositions and arrangements on six albums, including The One and Only, Swingin’ for Schuur, These Cats Can Swing, and Live from London. His writing is published by Kendor Music and other publishers, and has been performed by leading jazz vocalists including Diane Schuur.
Chip continues to write, arrange, and teach jazz arranging at the University of Illinois.
EDUCATOR
Chip McNeill is a distinguished educator and academic leader in jazz studies. He is a full professor and founder of the Jazz Performance Studies and Jazz Area at the University of Illinois, where he served as chair from 2002 through 2025. Prior to Illinois, he held leadership roles as Director of Jazz Studies at Florida International University and Virginia Tech University.
Chip has presented hundreds of masterclasses and clinics worldwide on jazz improvisation, history, composition, arranging, transcription, harmony, and repertoire. He has been a featured performer and presenter at multiple International Association of Jazz Educators and Jazz Education Network conferences.
His educational work consistently connects professional artistry with rigorous academic training, preparing students for meaningful careers in today’s evolving jazz landscape.
Start the conversation. Let’s shape the music together.
Feel free to reach out by email or use the contact form below to share details about your upcoming project. I look forward to connecting and exploring how we can bring your ideas to life.