BERT LIGON is director of jazz studies at the University of South Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Music in jazz piano performance and arranging from the University of North Texas. He toured with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, and has performed with Chris Potter, Red Rodney, Randy Brecker, Marion McPartland, Mel Torme, Dianne Schuur, Dianne Reeves, and others. Ligon has published three books, Jazz Theory Resources Vol. 1 & 2, Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony, and Comprehensive Technique for the Jazz Musician. Ligon has published several original compositions for big band, jazz string, and steel drum ensembles. He composed extensively in the Radio/TV/film industry receiving many awards including national PBS awards and an EMMY nomination. Ligon has been president of the South Carolina IAJE and chair of the jazz committee of the South Carolina Band Directors Association.

The Jazz Trio 2006 CD, featuring Ligon along with Renata Bratt on cello and Martin Norgaard on violin, is now available.

Ligon has presented several clinics and concerts at IAJE, ASTA, and SCMEA conferences. He has taught jazz improvisation, guitar, piano, conducted jazz string orchestras at Suzuki Institute and the Mark O'Connor Fiddle conferences [Fiddle Conference Photos], and Christian Howes' Creative Strings Workshop [Creative Strings Photos].

At USC, Ligon coordinates the jazz combos and big bands, jazz strings, teaches jazz theory, jazz improvisation, arranging, and applied jazz lessons. Ligon plays piano, guitar, third base.