James Pisano currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles at Wichita State University, in Wichita, Kansas. In this capacity, he leads Jazz Arts Ensemble I and Jazz Combos, teaches Jazz Improvisation and is the Professor of Jazz and Concert Saxophone. Pisano also directs the Mid-Kansas Jazz Ensemble, which is an auditioned high school honor jazz band ensemble that has been in existence for over 30 years. Prior to his appointment to Wichita state University, Pisano was on faculty at Bethel College from 2006 to 2018. Additionally, he served as Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music.

Pisano holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Music degree from the University of Miami, both in clarinet performance. While studying at the U of M, he was a member and soloist with the award-winning Concert Jazz Band. Currently he is completing his doctorate in jazz saxophone from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is working toward the completion of his dissertation entitled, Saxophone Performance Practice in a Jazz Organ Context: An Analysis of Selected Saxophone Solos. Some of his recent primary teachers include Chip Stevens, Chip McNeill, and Debra Richtmeyer.

Pisano is sought after as an adjudicator and clinician across the nation. Most recently, he served as guest jazz artist/clinician for the Mineral Area Technical College Jazz Festival, the Southeast Missouri State Clark Terry Jazz Festival, the Northeastern State Green Country Jazz Festival, the Oklahoma State University Jazz Festival, and the University of Wyoming Jazz Festival, South Dakota All State, and at numerous institutions of higher learning across the nation. He has performed at the international Jazz Educator’s Conference in New Orleans and Dallas. He has also served as a clinician for district and state jazz festivals numerous times. He is a member of the Kansas Music Educators Association and the Jazz Educator’s Network.