Josh Skinner is the Manager of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. He has served as assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at Utah State University, and BYU-Idaho. Skinner has been involved with planning every aspect of jazz festivals for over 10 years, including the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the UNC-Greeley Jazz Festival, and the Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival. Skinner received his Bachelor of Music in music education from Utah State University, Master of Music in performance and music education from the University of Idaho, and a Doctor of Arts in double bass performance from the University of Northern Colorado. He is fluent in both jazz and classical idioms, having performed nationally and internationally.

Growing up in Logan, Utah, Skinner was exposed to a diverse range of musical styles from the radio stations his family owned and operated. Drawing inspiration from classical, contemporary, R&B, funk, hip-hop, rock, county and more, Skinner is a consumer of all types of music, trying to expose himself to as music as possible.

As a classical double bassist, Skinner performs regularly with both the Utah Symphony and Utah Festival Opera Company. He has performed with many other ensembles including the Greeley Philharmonic, Fort Collins Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, Washington Idaho Symphony, chamber ensembles and orchestras through the western states. Skinner has been involved with numerous recording projects with symphonies ranging from studio work to live recordings of new and commissioned works.

As a jazz bassist, Skinner has performed with many musicians including Kobie Watkins, Bobby Watson, Clay Jenkins, Delfeayo Marsalis, Dave Douglas, Jason Marshall, Corey Christiansen, Jim White, Bria Skonberg, Grace Kelly, Ira Nepus, Rene Marie and many more. His most recent album was released in the summer of 2018 titled “Skinny Squared,” containing jazz standards and originals.

Skinner has taught courses in the jazz studies, music business and musicology areas, while maintaining a diverse studio of classical, jazz and electric bassists.