Rate My Professor Robert Lockart

Robert Lockart is a veteran faculty member in the Music Department at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he has taught jazz saxophone and performance since September 1997. As a professional saxophonist specializing in contemporary jazz, Lockart brings decades of performance experience to his teaching role, contributing to CSUN's esteemed jazz program through lessons, ensembles, and faculty collaborations. His academic background includes a master's degree in Jazz Studies from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Lockart began playing saxophone around age 13 or 14, inspired by jazz masters Ben Webster, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker, influences that profoundly shaped his musical style and career trajectory. By 2001, he had accumulated 25 years of teaching experience across institutions, underscoring his long-standing commitment to music education.

In addition to his pedagogical contributions, Lockart maintains an active performance career, balancing studio work, live gigs, and recording projects. A notable milestone is his debut album, Parallel Lives, released in late summer 2007 on Origin Records, featuring original compositions primarily authored by him. Lockart has performed in CSUN faculty jazz recitals alongside colleagues such as Gary Fukushima, Matt Harris, and Katisse Buckingham, demonstrating the collaborative spirit of the department. He has described teaching as rewarding and essential for maintaining artistic honesty, while performance offers joy and financial supplementation in the competitive jazz world. Lockart's dual pursuits exemplify the integration of professional musicianship and academia, fostering open communication and human interaction vital to jazz improvisation and education.