Brandon Dorris
Adjunct Instructor - Saxophone & Jazz
SFA 121
Brandon Dorris is a multi-instrumentalist performer and teacher in the Little Rock area. Brandon has been a fixture on the local scene for more than 20 years, leading his own groups in all styles and working as a sideman in dozens of bands. An accomplished pit musician, Brandon has played reeds for more than 30 productions in theaters across Arkansas, in addition to national tours of The Rat Pack is Back, High School Musical, Chicago, Motown, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Brandon has shared the stage with the Temptations, Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Jon Faddis, The Four Tops, The Kings of R&B, Patti Austin, Ann Hampton Calloway, and many others.
With his brother-in-law Dave Williams II, Brandon led la 21-year weekly jam session focused on mentoring and fostering young jazz musicians. Hundreds of young musicians developed skills and experience at these jams before heading to some of the best known jazz programs in the country as well as successful touring, gigging, and recording careers.
In addition to performing and teaching music, Brandon has an established career as the Marketing Director for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. He also leads the ASO Big Band, one of the premier large jazz ensembles in the state.
Brandon is a lifelong student, having studied saxophone with Jackie Lamar at the University of Central Arkansas and completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Improvisation, at University of Arkansas at Little Rock with Tom Richeson.
Brandon is married to Laura Williams and is the proud father of Daniel, Meghan, Haighlee and John.