arthur white, dma

Dr. Arthur White is a nationally recognized composer, arranger, and touring saxophonist. All About Jazz calls White’s ensembles “solidly impressive”, while referring to his “virile tenor solos”, “scorching alto broadsides”, and his ability to “vacate(s) the podium to fashion ‘splendid' tenor solos…”.  The notable jazz journalist Scott Yanow calls White and his band, MERGE, "world-class players". His debut album, when you find it..., recorded with MERGE, was released in 2020 on the Artists Recording Collective label to critical acclaim.

Bands under White’s direction have recorded with a veritable Who’s Who in modern jazz: Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Bobby Watson, Russell Malone, Henry Johnson, Scott Wendholt, Robin Eubanks, Mike Mainieri, Mike Metheny, Byron Stripling, Bob Sheppard, Sean Jones, Joe Locke, and Jimmy Greene. White has also been fortunate to record CDs with legendary trombonist Fred Wesley, Chris Murrell (vocalist with Count Basie), and jazz legend Dewey Redman. 

White is also in demand as an arranger; he has written music for jazz luminaries Christian McBride, Meshell Ndegeocello, James Carter, John Clayton, Mike Mainieri, Peter Erskine, Eric Person, Mulgrew Miller, Kevin Mahogany, Henry Johnson, Dewey Redman, Scott Wendholt, Bobby Watson, Bob Mintzer, Robin Eubanks, Kathy Kosins, Paul Hanson, Russell Malone, Bob Sheppard, Andy Narell, the Swiss Jazz Orchestra, and Randy Brecker. 

After 20 successful years teaching students of all levels and experience, Dr. White is shifting his music focus to his own projects, including his work as the resident composer for Kansas City Area Youth Jazz and recording for the Artists Recording Collective label, Always keeping the music close, White is producing his third album and writing music for his fourth, featuring friends and heroes like Henry Johnson, Jo Ann Daughtery, Dale Black, Thomas Taylor, Mike Mainieri, Darmon Meader, Kim Nazarian, and Gregg Bissonette.

A proud Kansas native, Dr. White received the Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from West Virginia University and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He resides in Kansas with his beautiful family: wife Megan, son Sam, and dogs Lily and Oakley.