LSU School of Music Names John Madere Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies

The LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts is pleased to announce that Dr. John Madere will join the School of Music faculty this August as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies & Bass. An accomplished bassist, educator, and composer, Madere brings nearly two decades of professional experience in the concert hall, the classroom, and the recording studio to one of Louisiana's premier music programs.

A Louisiana native and LSU alumnus, Madere holds a Bachelor of Music from LSU, a Master of Music from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from LSU. His academic training is matched by an equally distinguished performance career that spans both the jazz and orchestral worlds: since 2007, he has served as principal bassist with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, while maintaining an active career as a jazz bassist, bandleader, and recording artist.

Madere is no stranger to LSU. For the past two years, he has served as a part-time Instructor of Jazz Studies, conducting the LSU Lab Band and teaching jazz bass lessons. His elevation to full-time faculty deepens a relationship with the School of Music that stretches back to his own student years. Prior to his time at LSU, Madere held teaching positions at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he served as lecturer of double bass, instructor of music appreciation, and director of the University Lab Band, as well as in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, roles he has held since 2012.

A dedicated artist outside the classroom, Madere has released two albums of original music. His 2011 record Chemistry, featuring School of Music colleagues Willis Delony and Brian Shaw, showcases his voice as a composer and bandleader, while his 2020 ambient release Jambient Vol. 1 on Earthship Records demonstrates his range and creative curiosity as a bassist. He has also been a featured clinician and performer at the Louisiana Bass Festival.

A familiar presence in the Greater Baton Rouge music community, Madere joins a Jazz Studies faculty known for its commitment to mentoring the next generation of working musicians. His breadth of experience as both a performer and educator, combined with his deep roots in Louisiana's musical life, make him an ideal addition to that tradition. The School of Music looks forward to welcoming Dr. Madere to the full-time faculty this fall and to the contributions he will bring to students, ensembles, and the broader musical community at LSU.