Shawn Salmon

Guitarist/Composer/ Arranger, Shawn Salmon, is a 2000 graduate of Eastern Illinois University's Jazz Studies program. While at Eastern Shawn studied with guitarist John McLean and performed with the award winning Eastern Illinois Jazz Ensemble. In 2002 Shawn completed his Masters Degree in Jazz Composition at DePaul University. At DePaul Shawn studied guitar with Bob Palmieri and composition and arranging with Thomas Matta.
Over the years Shawn has performed with such artists as Bobby Watson, Karrin Allyson, Lionel Loueke, Ed Shaughnessy, Buddy DeFranco, Chris Potter, and Bob Brookmeyer.


Shawn has taught at Harold Washington College and Kennedy-King College in Chicago and privately in Deerfield and Libertyville, IL. Shawn has been published in Down Beat Magazine and The Arizona Music Trader. Shawn has also given clinics at WIU’s International Guitar Festival and presented at the 2010 College Music Society National Conference.  


In 2007 Shawn began working on his Doctorate of Arts in Music at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and is currently ABD. He was the Graduate Assistant for Jazz Studies and Guitar for the Ball State School of Music. At Ball State, Shawn directed the Ball State Studio Jazz Ensemble and combos, as well as taught courses in improvisation, jazz history, and jazz guitar. Fall the of 2010, Shawn was hired as Part-time Assistant Professor at DePauw University School of Music in Greencastle, IN and directs the school's Jazz Ensemble.


Along with constantly writing and composing for his own trio, Shawn also composes and arranges for high school and college jazz and percussion ensembles. In 2008, Shawn joined the roster of Really Good Music, LCC.'s outstanding line-up of composers and arrangers. Shawn is the 2009 winner of the Michael Arenson Jazz Composition Award for his original big band chart "Belden Bottom Line". You can purchase this chart and other Shawn Salmon compositions through Really Good Music’s website.


Shawn is available for lessons, performances, or studio playing. Also, contact Shawn to commission arrangements for your school, band, or personal project at anytime.