MoWest professor named 2026 Jazz Educator of the Year  

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Bob Long, director of Jazz Studies and professor of saxophone at Missouri Western State University, has been named the 2026 Jazz Educator of the Year at the Missouri Music Conference.  

Long's duties at MoWest include teaching woodwind methods, jazz improvisation, overseeing the jazz combos and assisting with the Golden Griffons Marching Band.

He also directs the Missouri Western Jazz Ensemble, the university's top big band.

Long received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of the Arts degree from Truman State University. From 1985 to 1988, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

While teaching at several high schools and universities, Long has also directed and performed as noteable venues and with a variety of performers.

Some performers include Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Dick Oatts, Peter Erskine, John Pizzarelli, Marilyn Maye, Lou Rawls, as well as Manhattan Transfer, The Temptations, The Four Tops and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Long also served as the past president of the Missouri Association for Jazz Education and also served on many other boards.

Locally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Society and is a member of the St. Joseph Symphony Board.

KQ2 will update the story.