Thomas Sciple is Associate Professor of Double Bass at the University of Montana teaching both the Jazz and Classical idioms of Double Bass pedagogy. He is currently a member of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Missoula Jazz Collective, along with performances with the String Orchestra of the Rockies and the Jeff Troxel Duo. Thomas holds a B.A. in Music from the University of South Alabama where he studied with classical bassist Steve Weiss and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans under the direction of Ellis Marsalis where he studied with Jazz Bassist Bill Huntington. Thomas spent much of his career in New Orleans as a valued jazz journeyman performing and recording with many notable artists and groups, as well as symphonic work in regional orchestras. Dedicated to helping students learn improvisation as it relates to the Double Bass, Thomas is currently writing a book that highlights many of the difficulties and hurdles a bassist might experience throughout their own journey. He is also currently putting together a group that will be dedicated to the performance of early jazz in repertoire and practice.