Dr. Wayne Goins
University Distinguished Professor
Director of Jazz Studies, Guitar
Email: weg@k-state.edu
Office: 222 McCain Auditorium
Biography
Dr. Wayne E. Goins, University Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Kansas State University, has performed with such greats as legendary guitarist Kenny Burrell, alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Clark Terry, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, organist Jimmy McGriff and many others. Goins completed his PhD. at The Florida State University, with teaching experience in Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta, where he conducted jazz ensembles and taught guitar at Morehouse College, Emory University, and Kennesaw State University.
Dr. Goins authored the award-winning book, Blues All Day Long: The Jimmy Rogers Story, published by University of Illinois Press in 2014. Goins also authored A Biography Of Charlie Christian: Jazz Guitar’s King of Swing (2005) by The Edwin Mellen Press. Two additional books, The Jazz Band Director’s Handbook: A Guide To Success (2003), and Emotional Response to Music: Pat Metheny’s Secret Story (2001), are also published by The Edwin Mellen Press. In 2006 Goins wrote The Wise Improvisor, a college textbook for all levels jazz improvisation.
Goins is the founder of Little Apple Records, his independent jazz label that has released six albums featuring his guitar performances: Chronicles of Carmela, West Coast Swing, Standard Fare, Smokin’ at The Oak Bar, Bluesin’ With The B3, and Home...Cookin!
Goins writes regularly for Living Blues magazine, ArtsATL magazine, Positive Feedback magazine and Jazz Ambassador magazine, and is a feature columnist for Jazz Improv magazine, where he has written extensive articles and interviews on guitarists Charlie Christian, Will Matthews, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Hunter, saxophonist Bobby Watson, and others. Dr. Goins has published several biographical entries in The Encyclopedia of the Blues as well as the Grove Dictionary of American Music.
Dr. Goins is currently writing the definitive biography on the Grammy-Award winning blues musician Taj Mahal.