LEON ANDERSON, JR., Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, joined the Florida State University faculty in 1998. His musical experience has included that of a classical and jazz percussionist, educator, clinician, and composer. He received the B.A. degree in music education at Louisiana Tech University and studied at Baylor University. Mr. Anderson completed his M.A. degree in percussion performance at Southeastern Louisiana University in 1996. While at Southeastern Louisiana University, he studied with mentor Ellis Marsalis and Victor Goines of the New Orleans jazz scene. Subsequently, Marsalis hired him to teach drums and percussion at the University of New Orleans.

Currently he performs and tours nationally and internationally with Marsalis, Goines, Walter Payton and the Snapbean Band, and the Third Coast Jazz Quintet. In 1997 Anderson was a featured soloist with The Marcus Roberts Trio and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. He has also performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and with artists Dianne Reeves, Judy Collins, Henry Mancini, Delfeayo Marsalis, Art Farmer, Jason Marsalis and the Temptations. Recent engagements include performances with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the National Orchestra de France, conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

His professional recordings include Marcus Roberts' Cole After Midnight Vol. I, Columbia Records, 1998; Victor Goines' Joe's Blues, Rosemary Joseph Records, 1997; and Third Coast with the Third Coast Jazz Quintet, for which he also wrote five original compositions. At FSU Anderson teaches drum set, jazz ensembles, and rhythm section methods.