Taber Gable Joins UT’s College of Music Jazz Faculty
The University of Tennessee’s College of Music welcomes a new addition to its jazz faculty for fall 2024: Taber Gable, a renowned jazz pianist and educator. Gable’s musical journey traces back to his formative years, where the eclectic sounds of his parents’ record collection ignited a passion that would shape his career.
“My first encounter with music was my parents’ record collection,” said Gable. “To be honest, any member of my family could’ve made a great living with music.”
Guided by curiosity, 11-year-old Gable immersed himself in music, eventually finding his way to Knoxville’s Joy of Music School. Founded in 1998, this nonprofit organization offers free music lessons and instruments to children and teens who lack the means. Under the mentorship of former UT Jazz faculty like Donald Brown and Jerry Coker, Gable honed his craft and discovered the transformative power of jazz. In 2015 after earning his bachelor’s degree, Taber Gable returned to the school to perform a benefit concert, expressing gratitude for the opportunities it provided him.
“I often sing the praises of what we have here in Knoxville,” said Gable. “One of my hopes and dreams with this opportunity at the University of Tennessee College of Music is to further connect the community in music and arts.”
Gable attended the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz (BM jazz piano ‘14) and was the first full scholarship recipient of the Hartt Performing Arts Scholarship. He continued his academic studies at The Juilliard School (MM jazz studies ‘16) under Wynton Marsalis, the director of Juilliard Jazz.
As an educator, Gable emphasizes the importance of musical versatility, citing jazz as a foundational genre that prepares students for success across musical landscapes.
“I believe jazz is one of the few styles that prepares you to communicate effectively in other genres of music,” said Gable. “It helps you learn to adapt quickly and navigate different musical challenges.”
In addition to his teaching duties, Gable remains active in his artistic endeavors with a sophomore album slated for release later this year and plans to tour both nationally and internationally. Additionally, you can tune into Taber’s weekly radio show, Improvisations, on WUOT 91.9 FM every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., where he shares the latest and greatest in jazz.
He looks forward to sharing his experiences and expertise with the next generation of musicians, fostering a legacy of creativity and innovation within UT’s College of Music.
“I think one of the most recent beautiful moments I can remember is running into Donald Brown at a musical festival in Claremont-Ferrand, France and being able to talk shop with him backstage where we both played the festival,” Taber said. “I felt the full circle bond from a student to teacher and vice versa. I would love to one day share that same experience with one of my students to be proud and see the future in good hands.”