Paul Steinbeck is an Assistant Professor of Theory and Composition at Washington University in St. Louis.He is a music theorist who specializes in the study of improvisation. His research focuses on musical analysis, intermedia, the social implications of improvisation, and the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). He co-authored AACM saxophonist Fred Anderson's instructional text for improvisers, Exercises for the Creative Musician, now in its second edition. At present, Steinbeck is writing a book entitled Message to Our Folks: The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Improvisation, and Great Black Music. He currently serves as the founding chair of the Interest Group on Improvisation within the Society for Music Theory.Steinbeck is also a bassist, composer, and recording artist. He performs with two groups: his own ensemble, THUMP; and the Low End Theory, co-led with former AACM president Mwata Bowden.Bio courtesy of hisĀ faculty page.