Karlton E. Hester began his career as a composer, recording artist, and music educator. He holds a Ph.D. in composition from the City University of New York, and is currently the director of jazz studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Hester is also the founding director of the Fillmore Jazz Preservation Big Band in San Francisco. He has received fellowships and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Mellon Foundation, among other. An acclaimed performer, Dr. Hester has played throughout the United States and internationally.

Karlton E. Hester began his career as a composer, recording artist, and music educator. He holds a Ph.D. in composition from the City University of New York, and is currently the director of jazz studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Hester is also the founding director of the Fillmore Jazz Preservation Big Band in San Francisco. He has received fellowships and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Mellon Foundation, among other. An acclaimed performer, Dr. Hester has played throughout the United States and internationally.