Jonathan Nathan, drummer and director of the Jazz Ensemble at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) has been an active member of the Santa Barbara music scene for more than 30 years, since his arrival in the city. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from California State University, Northridge, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is currently the Principal Timpanist of the Santa Barbara Grand Opera Association, as well as Director of Jazz Ensembles and a percussion instructor at UCSB. Jonathan Nathan regularly performs with the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra and other regional ensembles. He was a drummer of the Animal Liberation Orchestra band, as well as of numerous jazz ensembles in Santa Barbara, including the Nate Birkey Quintet. His teaching experience includes appointments at colleges in Moorpark, Westmont, and Santa Barbara. He also served on the faculty of the Improvisation Workshop in Jazz at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he collaborated with jazz greats such as Yusef Lateef, Dr. Billy Taylor, Sheila Jordan, and the Turtle Island String Quartet.