Diversity in Action Resident

Dr. Briggs is an associate professor of music and assistant director of jazz studies in the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) where he teaches courses in ethnomusicology, African American music, and jazz history. He is a graduate of the University of Redlands M.M. ‘95. Tasked with developing and overseeing strategies to attract and retain more diverse faculty throughout the College of the Arts at CSULB, he was recently appointed as faculty equity advocate. In his local community, he serves as chair of the Racial Reconciliation Ministry at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. 

 

In addition to this administrative work and ongoing engagement with scholarly research, Dr. Briggs is active as a jazz saxophonist and serves as director of the Quincy Jones Jazz Camp. His book, "Memphis Jazz: Music, Community, and the Politics of Race," is forthcoming from the University of Michigan Press.