Teaching Topics and Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is intuitive, shaped by many years of teaching, writing, and performing in the idiom of jazz. Through this deep immersion, I have developed a unique approach that balances tradition with personal expression. I believe in guiding students to find their own voices while grounding them in the rich history and language of jazz. My goal is to create a supportive, creative environment where students can explore, take risks, and grow as both musicians and individuals.

Biography

Igor Lumpert (b. 1975, Novo Mesto, SFR Yugoslavia/Slovenia) is a Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist, composer, and leader of the contemporary ensemble Innertextures. His music draws on Balkan folk melodies and rhythms, African American traditions, chamber music, and contemporary jazz—echoing figures like Ben Webster and Wayne Shorter while maintaining a distinctive voice.

Trained at the Bruckner Conservatory in Austria and later at the New School in New York under Reggie Workman, George Garzone, Buster Williams, and Chico Hamilton, Lumpert quickly became part of the NYC jazz scene. He has performed at major festivals and venues worldwide with artists such as Reggie Workman, John Abercrombie, Chico Hamilton, and Robert Glasper.

Since 2004, Innertextures has been the core of his work, releasing five albums, three on Clean Feed Records, including I Am the Spirit of the Earth (2022), praised for its inventive blend of Balkan folk and modern jazz. The ensemble has toured extensively across Europe and the U.S.

Lumpert is also active as an educator, teaching saxophone, improvisation, and composition at Jazz Empowers (NY), SAXGO (Slovenia), Jazzinty (Slovenia), and workshops in Europe and the U.S. His work emphasizes experimentation, cross-cultural collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of jazz forms.