What's New - The New School
What's New - The New School
What's New - The New School
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Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos<br />
Spring 2008<br />
Arnie Lawrence<br />
<strong>The</strong> Jazz <strong>School</strong> Goes Global<br />
N e w S c h o o l J a z z c o - f o u N d e r a r N i e l aw r e N c e h a d to<br />
be smiling. <strong>The</strong> iconoclastic saxophonist who died in 2005, dreamed<br />
of using jazz to unite Arabic and Israeli musicians. In his later years,<br />
Lawrence even created a music school with this intention in Jerusalem.<br />
His commitment and legacy have recently been documented in the<br />
upcoming film I Hear A Rainbow: <strong>The</strong> Arnie Lawrence Story by Tal-El<br />
Productions.<br />
On Friday, November 16, 2007, <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and<br />
Contemporary Music honored this dream with an initiative that<br />
brought together musicians from Palestine and Morocco with<br />
American and Israeli student musicians from <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz.<br />
Sponsored by the U.S. State Department in partnership with the<br />
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, this groundbreaking event<br />
allowed musicians to share their talents in a day of discussion and<br />
learning. <strong>The</strong> day culminated in an exciting performance by acclaimed<br />
Palestinian and Moroccan musicians Joseph Duqmaq, Wissam Murad,<br />
John Robert Handal, Tarik Hildal, and Fatima Abdeldayem. <strong>The</strong><br />
performance also featured Jazz faculty member Harel Shachal and<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz students. Faculty members Reggie Workman and<br />
Rory Stuart also participated.<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz has always been engaged in the global jazz<br />
community, starting with our students and faculty who come<br />
from all over the world, bringing their own cultural associations<br />
Executive Director Martin Mueller (second from right, row two) with the international ensemble<br />
continues page 2<br />
Scott Wynn
A Message from the Executive Director<br />
DEAr AluMni AnD FriEnDs,<br />
i ’ m o f t e N a S k e d a b o u t t h e m e a N i N g o f “ c o N t e m p o r a ry ”<br />
in our school’s name and mission, with the assumption that<br />
contemporary means popular genre or style. Indeed, our alumni and<br />
current students do cover the full musical spectrum, from JAZZ to<br />
Jay-Z, from Basie to Beyoncé. But “contemporaneity”—as a quality<br />
not of linear time, but of artistic creative expression—is a far more<br />
relative and variable term. Among the significant changes in human<br />
experience, few have been more drastic than our increasing sense of<br />
the contemporary. <strong>The</strong> world has become ever more connected—and<br />
smaller—as a result, with new opportunities<br />
and resources at our digital fingertips. At<br />
the same time, we face an overwhelming<br />
amount of stimuli and information.<br />
<strong>The</strong> flood of “contemporaneity” has<br />
become a dominant feature of life today.<br />
This is the world we must navigate<br />
as artists, working to resist the force<br />
of conformity brought about by mass<br />
Executive Director<br />
Martin Mueller<br />
2<br />
Photo: Michael DiVito<br />
continued from page 1<br />
with them. <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and<br />
Contemporary Music is also a founding<br />
member of the International Association<br />
of <strong>School</strong>s of Jazz (IASJ), an organization<br />
comprising nearly 70 schools in more than<br />
35 countries.<br />
In addition, <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz will again<br />
take part in a summer jazz workshop in<br />
Basanno del Grappa in Northern Italy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> workshop, now in its ninth year, is a<br />
component of the internationally acclaimed<br />
Veneto Jazz Festival. During the workshop,<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> faculty will offer two weeks<br />
of classes, ensembles, and performances.<br />
Attendees may also audition for <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Jazz and scholarship consideration.<br />
Jazz, born out of the African-American<br />
experience, is a shared global language<br />
among countless musicians. <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> is an important participant in<br />
and contributor to the cultural exchange<br />
of this uniquely American art form. To<br />
recognize Arnie Lawrence’s dream and<br />
honor his vision, <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> created<br />
an endowment in his name. Alumni and<br />
donors interested in contributing to the<br />
Arnie Lawrence Scholarship Fund should<br />
contact Mary Hastings, Jazz director of<br />
communication, and seeking to find a<br />
contemporary identity while perpetuating<br />
the aesthetics and traditions of jazz.<br />
To meet these challenges, it is essential that we remain aware of<br />
the forces shaping the world. While we can’t know what tomorrow<br />
will bring, we can be sure tomorrow’s musicians will need more<br />
inclusive training and diverse skills than ever before. This is the vital<br />
work of <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and Contemporary Music, made<br />
possible through your support and through collaborations across our<br />
university.<br />
<strong>The</strong> essence of jazz is governed and protected by tradition. At <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong>, our stellar artist faculty provide direct connections<br />
to that history and encourage our student artists to be the “new”<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Tradition and innovation both require openness, the<br />
willingness to change, and that we honor where we’ve been.<br />
Alumni and friends, it’s an exciting time to be at <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>! Please help us forge these new pathways by continuing<br />
our friendships, attending our concerts, and furthering your<br />
commitment to our mission in music.<br />
Martin Mueller<br />
development, at hastingm@newschool.edu or<br />
212.229.5662 x4579.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Michael D. Thomas saxophonist Grant<br />
duriNg the SpriNg of 2006,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and Contemporary<br />
Music sadly lost alumnus and saxophonist<br />
Michael D. Thomas (1976–2006). Thomas<br />
graduated with a BFA in Jazz Performance<br />
and Composition in 1999. In addition to<br />
studying under legends such as George<br />
Garzone, Joe Lovano, and Charles Tolliver,<br />
Michael was significantly influenced<br />
by Philadelphia-based saxophonist Ben<br />
Schachter. Michael enjoyed playing at<br />
many of <strong>New</strong> York’s legendary jazz venues<br />
such as Birdland, <strong>The</strong> Blue Note, and <strong>The</strong><br />
Village Vanguard. Michael also studied and<br />
played percussion, clarinet, and flute. But<br />
his passion for jazz ventured well beyond<br />
performance, and he was committed to both<br />
honing his skills and nurturing his creativity<br />
as a composer and arranger. His true love<br />
was, indeed, pushing the horizons of jazz, to<br />
create original, fresh, and inspiring music.<br />
He strove to incorporate many different<br />
genres into his work. During the last few<br />
years of his life, he was particularly influ-<br />
enced by the works of Duke Ellington and<br />
David Byrne and the blues of the South,<br />
especially the Mississippi Delta.<br />
As a musician, composer, and lover of<br />
music, Michael embodied the very attributes<br />
that all musicians aspire to possess: passion,<br />
tenacity, humility, and creativity. In addition,<br />
he was devoted to sharing his knowledge<br />
and love of music with future generations<br />
of musicians. From 2002–04, he was<br />
director of Music & Instrumental Performance<br />
at the Tito Puente Performing Arts<br />
Academy in Harlem. Michael was a talented<br />
musician and teacher as well as a sincere<br />
gentleman. Anyone who had the privilege<br />
of knowing him was a better person for it.<br />
Michael will be ineffably missed.<br />
To honor the memory of Michael, the<br />
Thomas family has established the Michael<br />
D. Thomas Educational Foundation. This<br />
private, independent nonprofit organization<br />
is dedicated to the betterment of the arts<br />
by providing financial support to full-time<br />
students who exhibit artistic excellence in jazz<br />
music. Through the funding it provides, the<br />
Foundation strives to assist individuals to do<br />
the following: develop musical knowledge,<br />
hone performance skills, cultivate educational
musicianship, and nurture creativity.<br />
This past fall, the foundation announced<br />
the winner of its first award, Austrian-born<br />
sophomore Lukas Gabric. <strong>The</strong> foundation<br />
officially celebrated this exciting news at its<br />
fall 2007 fundraising event at the Village<br />
landmark restaurant, Minetta Tavern. <strong>The</strong><br />
event featured the music of <strong>The</strong> Brooks<br />
Hartell Quartet led by <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> alumnus<br />
Brooks Hartell. Lukas Gabric was the special<br />
guest of the evening, and he played several<br />
sets with Hartell’s band.<br />
sound Education with new Yamaha Drum Kits<br />
with the acquiSitioN of 13 <strong>New</strong><br />
Yamaha drum sets with hardware, <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> for Jazz and Contemporary Music<br />
has found a new recruiting tool.<br />
“Our students are incredibly excited to<br />
have access to such high quality instruments,”<br />
said Martin Mueller, executive<br />
director of <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and<br />
Contemporary Music. “When a prospective<br />
student comes and sees a Yamaha kit on the<br />
stage or in a practice room, it’s a great asset<br />
in encouraging [that person] to study here.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> program has done it right because<br />
these are real jazz kits,” said Barry Greenspon,<br />
owner of Drummer’s World in <strong>New</strong><br />
York City, referring to the new drum sets.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new school for Jazz and Contemporary Music is pleased to announce the addition of two new members<br />
to the board of governors.<br />
KurT WinKElMAnn, PhD is managing<br />
director and co-head of global investment<br />
strategies group at Goldman Sachs. He has<br />
been with Goldman Sachs since 1993. His<br />
previous responsibilities included managing<br />
GSAM’s Institutional Client Research and<br />
Strategy group. Prior to joining GSAM,<br />
Mr. Winkelmann spent five years in the<br />
Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Research<br />
Group as head of Global Fixed Income<br />
Portfolio Strategy, a London-based<br />
position. Mr. Winkelmann has written (or<br />
co-authored) several papers with portfolio<br />
management themes. A number of these<br />
papers have appeared in the Journal of<br />
Portfolio Management, Financial Analysts<br />
Journal, and the Handbook of Fixed Income<br />
Securities. Before joining Goldman Sachs,<br />
Mr. Winkelmann worked in the investment<br />
technology industry (BARRA and Vestek),<br />
and as an economist for First Bank<br />
“<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> students who come into the<br />
shop say they enjoy playing them. And it’s<br />
not just the drummers who benefit—everyone<br />
sounds better with these kits.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> school currently enrolls approximately<br />
40 drumming majors. Drum professors<br />
include Joe Chambers, Andrew Cyrille, Dr.<br />
Chico Hamilton, and Charli Persip. Student<br />
Assistants clean and maintain the new drums<br />
and hardware. “We’ve always taken our educational<br />
mission seriously,” said David Jewell,<br />
marketing manager for Yamaha Drums, Pro<br />
Audio & Combo Division. “It’s great to see<br />
that young people are still called to jazz.”<br />
Parents and Partnership<br />
the <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz aNd<br />
Contemporary Music held its first event<br />
for parents outside of the <strong>New</strong> York area<br />
on November 1, 2007. Board of Governors<br />
Member Dr. Bert Lubin hosted the reception<br />
in Berkeley, California in the historic<br />
library of the Children’s Hospital Oakland<br />
Research Center. Dr. Lubin, whose son<br />
is a sophomore at Jazz, is president and<br />
director of medical research of the center.<br />
Executive Director Martin Mueller spoke<br />
about <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz and its students.<br />
He highlighted the school’s efforts to<br />
teach students necessary networking<br />
Systems. He received a BA from Macalester<br />
College (St. Paul, MN) in 1978 and a<br />
PhD in Economics from the University<br />
of Minnesota in 1987. Mr. Winklemann,<br />
an accomplished jazz guitarist, has been<br />
passionate about music all his life.<br />
J. GrEGOrY MilMOE is a partner at the law<br />
firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &<br />
Flom LLP, and is a co-head of its corporate<br />
restructuring group. In his 37 years at the<br />
firm, Mr. Milmoe’s work as counsel for<br />
corporate restructuring cases has enabled<br />
him to achieve professional prominence<br />
representing public companies in their<br />
financial restructurings and bankruptcies.<br />
He has been characterized in a Wall Street<br />
Journal profile as the “Mr. Rogers” of the<br />
bankruptcy bar. Mr. Milmoe graduated<br />
from Cornell University and Fordham Law<br />
<strong>School</strong>. At Cornell, he perfected the art of<br />
Spring 2008<br />
and marketing skills to become working<br />
musicians in today’s marketplace. Teri<br />
Lucas, director of admissions, and Mary<br />
Hastings, director of development, also<br />
contributed remarks. Nearly 60 parents<br />
attended the event, many of whom had<br />
children who studied and performed at<br />
Berkeley High <strong>School</strong> before attending<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz. One parent remarked<br />
that it was the best parents event she had<br />
ever attended. Additional parent events are<br />
planned for <strong>New</strong> York and Los Angeles.<br />
Music industry Fund scholarship recipients<br />
t h e N e w S c h o o l f o r J a z z a N d<br />
Contemporary Music awarded two<br />
graduating students with our new Music<br />
Industry Fund Scholarship. <strong>The</strong> award,<br />
which is based on merit and financial<br />
need, is for graduating seniors and is<br />
made possible by generous donations from<br />
industry professionals Bruce Lundvall and<br />
Ted Kurland. <strong>The</strong> donation from Lundvall,<br />
president of Blue Note Records, was awarded<br />
to Leo Coodin (drums). <strong>The</strong> donation from<br />
Mr. Kurland, president of Ted Kurland<br />
Associates, a jazz management firm, was<br />
given to Linas Benesevicius (saxophone).<br />
carrying on normal conversations while<br />
playing the piano at fraternity cocktail<br />
parties. This led him to try, for several<br />
years, to make a living as a musician. His<br />
interest in music remains an important part<br />
of his life. He plays tenor sax and piano.<br />
Board of Governors 2007–08<br />
Kent A. Clark, Chair<br />
James C. Freund, Vice Chair<br />
Charles G. Leaness<br />
Jean Lignel<br />
Bertram H. Lubin<br />
J. Gregory Milmoe<br />
Eileen Naughton<br />
Hank O’Neal<br />
Tim Porter<br />
Mark A. Schulman<br />
George Wein<br />
Kurt Winkelmann<br />
3
Jazz Presents...Monktober<br />
the Jazz preSeNtS coNcert SerieS<br />
remains the cornerstone of public<br />
programming at <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz. It<br />
showcases distinguished <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
faculty, affiliated artists, and the<br />
emerging stars of tomorrow—our<br />
students and alumni. In fall 2007, Jazz<br />
Presents featured MOnK AT 90, two evenings<br />
honoring the 90th birthday of the<br />
legendary <strong>The</strong>lonious Monk.<br />
We began on October 10 (Monk’s actual<br />
birthday) with ThE MOnK inFluEnCE, inspired<br />
by the man whose creativity permeates<br />
music from the 1940’s to the present.<br />
Monk’s music was performed by a stellar<br />
ensemble led by Jimmy Owens (<strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Jazz faculty), trumpet, flugelhorn;<br />
Slide Hampton, trombone; Junior Mance<br />
(<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz faculty), piano; Kenny<br />
Davis, bass; and Eric McPherson, drums.<br />
<strong>The</strong> performance sold out.<br />
Will Friedwald of the <strong>New</strong> York Sun<br />
hailed, “I expected just a jam session on<br />
<strong>The</strong>lonious classics; instead, Mr. Owens<br />
offered thoughtful new arrangements on<br />
some lesser-known Monk ballads…Mance<br />
stole the show whenever he had a chance to<br />
play the blues… ”<br />
In addition, trumpeter and <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Jazz faculty member, Cecil Bridgewater<br />
joined the stage for a memorable finale. <strong>The</strong><br />
birthday ovation was not only for Monk,<br />
but for Mance and Bridgewater too!<br />
<strong>The</strong> celebration continued on October<br />
30 with ThE MOnK COnFluEnCE. Led by <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Jazz faculty member and guitarist<br />
Steve Cardenas, an innovative piano-less<br />
quartet performed familiar and lesserknown<br />
Monk works. Cardenas directs<br />
the school’s Monk Ensemble and is coauthor<br />
of the <strong>The</strong>lonious Monk Fakebook.<br />
<strong>The</strong> exceptional group put a unique spin<br />
on Monk’s music and featured Cardenas,<br />
guitar; Ben Allison (<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz<br />
alumnus), bass; Matt Wilson, drums; and<br />
a sensational young trombonist Yonatan<br />
Voltzak (<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz student).<br />
Jazz Presents is sponsored in part by a grant from the<br />
<strong>New</strong> York State Council on the Arts and <strong>The</strong> Julien J.<br />
Studley Foundation. Drums are provided by Yamaha.<br />
4<br />
Kenny Davis<br />
Slide Hampton<br />
¡CALIENTE!<br />
oN december 2, 2006, the <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> for Jazz and Contemporary Music<br />
hosted ¡CALIENTE!—an all-day celebration<br />
of Afro-Cuban Jazz expression in <strong>New</strong> York<br />
City. Activities included a screening of the<br />
award-winning documentary, From Mambo<br />
to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale, which was<br />
directed by Henry Chalfant, produced by<br />
Elena Martinez and Steve Zeitlin, and sponsored<br />
by City Lore and Public Art Films.<br />
Junior Mance, Faculty<br />
Jimmy Owens, Faculty<br />
<strong>The</strong> screening was followed by<br />
a dynamic panel discussion,<br />
Music and Survival in the<br />
South Bronx, which featured<br />
faculty from across the university.<br />
<strong>The</strong> evening included a special<br />
performance in Tishman Auditorium<br />
by <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Afro-Cuban Jazz<br />
Orchestra directed by <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz<br />
faculty member Bobby Sanabria [see faculty<br />
notes and interviews], and featuring renowned<br />
saxophonist Sonny Fortune.<br />
Selections from this night of mambo,<br />
blues, and bolero from Afro-Cuban masters<br />
Mario Bauza, Machito, are now available<br />
on compact disc and can be heard on<br />
www.newschool.edu/jazz.<br />
Photos: Matthew Sussman
Photo: Matthew Sussman<br />
Andy Milne and students<br />
Seminars Continued:<br />
Music and the Marketplace/Art<br />
and Commerce<br />
m u S i c i N t h e m a r k e t p l ac e / a r t a N d c o m m e r c e S e m i N a r S<br />
were initiated in 2005 by Bob Hurwitz, president of Nonesuch<br />
Records. Today, the seminars are going strong with lectures and<br />
discussions led by leaders in the mainstream, not-for-profit, and<br />
alternative worlds of music. <strong>The</strong>se sessions provide important<br />
opportunities for students to engage with accomplished musicians<br />
and business leaders who provide an insider’s view of the industry<br />
and share insights in relation to artistic growth and professional<br />
viability.<br />
<strong>The</strong> series has led to the development of related activities including<br />
the Writing Workshop and classes such as <strong>The</strong> Business of Jazz,<br />
taught by producer Jeff Levenson; Showmanship, taught by Kirk<br />
Nurock; Marketing Yourself, taught by Andy Milne; Introduction to<br />
Web Design, taught by Brian Camelio; and Music Business, taught<br />
by Jimmy Owens. <strong>The</strong>re is also a more extensive roster of industry<br />
internship placements for students.<br />
In 2007–08, two new courses were added to the business<br />
curriculum. <strong>The</strong>se courses not only emphasize the skills necessary<br />
to promote, build, and sustain one’s career, but also how to utilize<br />
new business models and technology. Brian Camelio, head of<br />
ArtistShare, and entertainment lawyer Steve Gordon teach Future of<br />
the Music Business. Experienced musician, producer, educator, and<br />
entrepreneur Gene Perla teaches Survey of the Music Business.<br />
It is essential for emerging artists to understand the changing<br />
marketplace. <strong>The</strong>se enhancements to professional development and<br />
career services for our students and alumni are crucial to meeting<br />
this need.<br />
Bob Hurwitz<br />
Kurk Nurock<br />
<strong>The</strong> Executive Director’s<br />
Student Advisory Council<br />
Photo: Ryan Blum Kryzstal<br />
Spring 2008<br />
in Class and Out<br />
the executive director’S StudeNt adviSory couNcil<br />
(EDSAC) is a an ongoing forum for students to voice their<br />
concerns. EDSAC members provide crucial feedback to the<br />
executive director and administration regarding community life,<br />
academic programs, and administrative policies and procedures.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 12 members of EDSAC are student leaders who volunteer<br />
their services. Executive Director Martin Mueller and Assistant<br />
Director of Academic Affairs Brenda Barlow founded and co-chair<br />
the council.<br />
EDSAC has successfully advocated for student-led groups to<br />
perform at Sweet Rhythm, funding for new instruments and<br />
tuning/tech needs, and the extension of practice-room hours<br />
during final exams. This term, EDSAC is discussing innovative<br />
ways for students and faculty to collaborate with the broader<br />
university community, such as through the <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Radio<br />
Station and University Student Senate. <strong>The</strong>y are also identifying<br />
new strategies for recruitment and exploring the role of<br />
“contemporary music” at <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz.<br />
5<br />
Photo: Don Hamerman
AluMni nEWs See<br />
6<br />
up-to-the-minute alumni news<br />
on the class notes page at www.<br />
newschool.edu/alumni and send your<br />
news to alumni@newschool.edu.<br />
DAviD r. ADlEr ’90 (guitar) writes about jazz<br />
for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia<br />
Weekly, Jazz Times, Downbeat, and other<br />
publications. His cover story on Keith<br />
Jarrett appeared in the January/February<br />
2008 issue of Jazz Times.<br />
JOhn islEY ’91 (saxophone) is touring with<br />
Moving Out, a musical based on the songs<br />
of Billy Joel and told through the choreography<br />
of Twyla Tharp.<br />
AnDY “ACTiOn” MArKhAM ’93 (drums) has<br />
spent his varied career touring, producing,<br />
and managing every aspect of the music<br />
industry.<br />
AnDY WinTEr ’93 (drums) traveled to Europe<br />
with Cirque de Soleil. <strong>The</strong> tour brought him<br />
to Germany, where he started recording for<br />
his first album, Delicate Move. Recently, the<br />
Austrian drummer formed his own band,<br />
Madrix, which combines funk, jazz, and<br />
Latin and African elements.<br />
Ori KAPlAn ’95 (saxophone) founded the<br />
Balkan Beat Box (BBB), which is touring<br />
worldwide. <strong>The</strong> group is nominated for<br />
three BBC World Music awards: cultural<br />
crossing, club global, and new-comer. Five<br />
of their songs will be featured in Madonna’s<br />
upcoming film, Filth and Wisdom.<br />
sTEFAn sChATz ’95 (drums) toured in the<br />
Balkans and the Middle East with the Chris<br />
Byars Quartet earlier this spring as part of<br />
<strong>The</strong> Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad<br />
program, presented by the U.S. State<br />
Department and Jazz at Lincoln Center.<br />
This is the second time the group has represented<br />
the United States as cultural ambassadors.<br />
<strong>The</strong> quartet also played at the Village<br />
Vanguard in March and will release their<br />
debut album, Jazz Pictures at an Exhibition<br />
of Himalayan Art, in mid-April at the Rubin<br />
Museum of Art in <strong>New</strong> York.<br />
sAM YAhEl ’95 (organ) released a new album,<br />
Truth and Beauty (Origin Records), and<br />
played in Miles and Miles, the spring 2008<br />
Jazz Presents concert series.<br />
Arun luThrA ’97 (saxophone) Please see<br />
Faculty <strong>New</strong>s.<br />
DrEW AnThOnY CArrAnO ’98 (voice) lives in<br />
Las Vegas and is performing at the Riviera<br />
Hotel and Casino. He is also in the hit show<br />
<strong>The</strong> Rat Pack is Back as “the king of cool,”<br />
Dean Martin.<br />
ChrisTOPhEr PisTOrinO ’98 (bass) is a<br />
member of two successful Brooklyn-based<br />
bands, Lapis Luna and <strong>The</strong> Blue Vipers of<br />
Brooklyn. Along with his wife, Pistorino<br />
is the co-leader of Lapis Luna, which plays<br />
jazz, swing, and bossa nova regularly in the<br />
<strong>New</strong> York City area and venues nationwide.<br />
<strong>The</strong> group also includes guitarist JOhn<br />
MErrill ’97 (guitar) and drummer BriAn<br />
FlOODY ’93. <strong>The</strong> Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, an<br />
acoustic Dixieland band, features TOM ABBOTT,<br />
’08 (saxophone). <strong>The</strong> band recently won the<br />
nationally televised contest, “Subway Idol,”<br />
and were featured on FOX’s <strong>The</strong> Morning<br />
Show with Mike and Juliet for a month. <strong>The</strong><br />
band also recorded and released their second<br />
album, Forty Days and Forty Nights. <strong>The</strong><br />
Blue Vipers will perform at the Rochester<br />
International Jazz Festival in June.<br />
JOhn Ellis ’99 (saxophone) released One Foot<br />
In <strong>The</strong> Swamp on HYENA Records. He<br />
performs regularly around <strong>New</strong> York.<br />
KEvin FrEY ’99 (drums) was recently<br />
appointed director of Student Development<br />
and Campus Life for the Middlesex Campus<br />
of Berkeley College in Woodridge, <strong>New</strong><br />
Jersey.<br />
DAn BlAnKinshiP ’01 (trumpet), sTEPhAn<br />
MOuTOT ’03 (saxophone), BriAn MArsEllA<br />
’00 (piano), rEiD TAYlOr ’01 (bass), and MATT<br />
zEBrOsKi ’01 (drums) formed <strong>The</strong> Flail and<br />
recorded their third album, Live at Smalls in<br />
November. It is due to release in the spring<br />
of 2008. <strong>The</strong>ir last album, Never Fear, was<br />
chosen by ejazz as #14 of best jazz albums<br />
for 2007. <strong>The</strong> group appears regularly in<br />
<strong>New</strong> York City and will be touring extensively<br />
in the United States and Europe to<br />
promote their new album.<br />
MiChAEl sCOTT KETTnEr ’01 (percussion) Please<br />
see Faculty <strong>New</strong>s.<br />
MiChAEl rODriGuEz ’01 (trumpet) was the<br />
third place winner in the 2007 <strong>The</strong>lonious<br />
Monk International Jazz Trumpet competition<br />
last October. As a result, Rodriguez<br />
performed before a packed house at the<br />
Kodak <strong>The</strong>atre for a legendary panel of<br />
judges including Quincy Jones, Herb<br />
Alpert, Terence Blanchard, Hugh Masekela,<br />
Clark Terry, and Roy Hargrove. <strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>lonious<br />
Monk International Jazz Competition<br />
is regarded as the most prestigious jazz<br />
competition in the world. Each year the<br />
institute attracts the brightest young jazz<br />
talent to compete for a series of scholarships.<br />
Rodriquez was featured in a recent<br />
Downbeat.com article about his musical<br />
achievements.<br />
CrAiG YArEMKO ’01 (saxophone) recently<br />
released his third album, Sync, with Jazz<br />
Excursion Records.<br />
Ari zuCKEr ’01 (guitar) has been recording<br />
with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam on his solo<br />
album, and for a tribute album to Hank<br />
Williams.<br />
DAriO BOEnTE ’02 (piano) along with his<br />
band, Huge in Japan, toured Spain last<br />
summer. During his stay in Spain, Boente<br />
taught at the IX Jazz seminar at the Palau<br />
de la Música in Valencia. He plays with<br />
percussionist Luis Quintero and his band<br />
Percussion Madness, which toured 18 cities<br />
in Europe in the spring of 2007.<br />
MAnuEl EnGEl ’02 (piano) received numerous<br />
awards last year. His album ME 3 was noted<br />
in the Tuscan Citizen as one of ten favorite<br />
jazz albums of 2007 and was an album<br />
finalist at the Seventh Annual Independent<br />
Music Awards. He was a winner in the<br />
14th Annual Billboard World Songwriting<br />
Contest for his song, “Rename.” He also<br />
received an OurStage Award for Best Artist<br />
of the Month in the experimental category.<br />
Engel received two LA Music Awards nominations<br />
for his song, “Alithea.”
viCKiE nATAlE ’02 (voice) recently toured<br />
China, Japan, and the United States to<br />
support the release of her album Never<br />
Gonna Stop.<br />
EriC Mullins ’03 (saxophone) and his wife<br />
Marina recently founded Mullins Music,<br />
a nonprofit community music school in<br />
the Tampa Bay area. He is releasing his<br />
first album, Me/We, featuring all original<br />
music with him on saxophone, bass, and<br />
keyboards.<br />
CAnDACE DEBArTOlO ’04 (saxophone) plays<br />
in a <strong>New</strong> York City-based rock group,<br />
Spottiewoode & His Enemies. This past<br />
November the band celebrated its tenth<br />
anniversary. <strong>The</strong> group plays a mix of<br />
original compositions and jazz standards.<br />
In addition, she is working on her own jazz<br />
project called seeker. Candace participates in<br />
the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop.<br />
TATuM GrEEnBlATT ’04 (trumpet) is currently<br />
finishing his master’s degree at <strong>The</strong> Juilliard<br />
<strong>School</strong>. He is also currently co-producing<br />
an album with his band, <strong>The</strong> Here and<br />
<strong>New</strong> Quintet, for Origin Records, slated for<br />
release in the summer of 2008. He performs<br />
frequently around <strong>New</strong> York City.<br />
KEYOn hArrOlD ’04 (trumpet) is currently<br />
touring with music mogul Jay-Z and is<br />
featured on his new video, “<strong>The</strong> Roc Boys.”<br />
Keyon is the CEO of Keykat Productions<br />
Inc., which has produced hit records for<br />
prominent hip-hop artists like 50 Cent,<br />
Young Buck, Mobb Deep, and LL Cool J.<br />
He is a member of Mo Horns, is featured<br />
on Marcus Strickland’s latest CD, Open<br />
Reel Deck, and leads his own horn section<br />
around the country.<br />
lAKECiA BEnJAMin ’05 (saxophone) has played,<br />
toured, and recorded with Alvin Atkinson<br />
and <strong>The</strong> Sound Merchants. In addition, she<br />
is the founder and leader of Soulsquad and<br />
Spirit. Both bands perform regularly in <strong>New</strong><br />
York City.<br />
shArEl CAssiTY ’05 (saxophone) won the<br />
2008 ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz<br />
Composer Award. She will be recognized<br />
at the annual ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame<br />
ceremony in June at Lincoln Center.<br />
PAul hEMMinGs ’05 (guitar) recently released<br />
a new album, Letter From America (Leading<br />
Tone Records), with saxophonist John<br />
Tchicai. <strong>The</strong> release party took place at the<br />
Knitting Factory.<br />
KATTY rODriquEz ’05 (saxophone) recently<br />
joined Beyoncé’s all-female band and will be<br />
on tour with her for the next year.<br />
JAY EPsTEin ’06 (piano) is launching Papa<br />
B Studios, a synthesis of five unique artist<br />
spaces that will cater to the needs of the<br />
budding Brooklyn art scene 24 hours a day.<br />
<strong>The</strong> spaces will be designed for musicians,<br />
visual artists, and dancers and will include<br />
an event space to showcase all aspects of the<br />
cultural arts.<br />
FrAnK lOCrAsTO’s ’06 (piano) debut album<br />
When You’re <strong>The</strong>re is available on the<br />
MAXJAZZ label.<br />
JAsOn MArshAll ’06 (saxophone) plays and<br />
tours with Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor and<br />
the Roy Hargrove Big Band. Jason’s band,<br />
Overt Negritude, is preparing to record its<br />
debut album.<br />
Giving Back to the Doc<br />
Former Jazz students GrEGOrY CurTis<br />
(keyboard), Chris WAlKEr (bass), and rOBErT<br />
GlAsPEr (piano) were among the many who<br />
performed at an event earlier this spring<br />
to honor their high school maestro, Dr.<br />
Robert Morgan. Dr. Morgan is Director<br />
Emeritus of Jazz Studies at the High <strong>School</strong><br />
for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA)<br />
in Houston, Texas. It was a memorable and<br />
emotional evening for Dr. Morgan, who has<br />
taught at HSPVA for more than 30 years.<br />
Many of his students have attended <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Jazz where Dr. Morgan established a<br />
scholarship fund.<br />
What’s <strong>New</strong><br />
AluMni OFFiCE<br />
Be Green and stay in touch!<br />
In an effort to be as “green” as possible, the Office<br />
of Alumni Relations will send many invitations and<br />
notices of various opportunities for alumni via email<br />
ONLY. If we don’t have a current email address on<br />
file for you, you could miss out. Login to ALVIN at<br />
https://alvin.newschool.edu/ and make sure we have<br />
your current email address. While there, you can also<br />
choose to show your email in the online directory<br />
listing, enabling fellow alumni to contact you. As<br />
always, you can visit us on the Web at<br />
www.newschool.edu/alumni.<br />
Looking Forward: A <strong>New</strong> Academic Building and a <strong>New</strong> Curriculum<br />
the <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> iS moviNg forward with plaNS<br />
for the construction of a new signature building and new<br />
interdisciplinary programs, both of which will expand our<br />
resources and enhance the student experience.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new programs will combine the best of our existing<br />
disciplines—design, liberal arts, social sciences, and performing<br />
arts. Building on the university’s unique tradition of civic<br />
engagement and progressive education, this transformation will<br />
prepare our students to face the challenges of the increasingly<br />
complex global society in which we live.<br />
Located at 65 Fifth Avenue, on the corner of Fifth Avenue<br />
and 14th Street, the building will reflect advancements in<br />
environmentally sustainable architecture. Students and professors<br />
will use the space to study and build on those advancements.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se additions will be invaluable, not only to the <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
community but to Greenwich Village and <strong>New</strong> York City as a<br />
whole.<br />
7
FACulTY nEWs<br />
8<br />
hiGh hOnOrs FOr<br />
DisTinGuishED FACulTY<br />
l o N g - S ta N d i N g f a c u lt y m e m b e r<br />
and renowned drummer Dr. FOrEsTsTOrn<br />
ChiCO hAMilTOn was recognized at the<br />
Kennedy Center as a Living Legend in Jazz.<br />
He also received an Honorary Doctorate<br />
from <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Dr. Hamilton<br />
also re-released four CDs on Joyous Shout<br />
Records: Juniflip, Believe, 6th Avenue Romp,<br />
and Heritage. <strong>The</strong>se albums were originally<br />
released in 2006 for Internet sale only to<br />
celebrate Dr. Hamilton’s 85th birthday. He<br />
also won the NARM Distributor of <strong>The</strong><br />
Year award for the sixth consecutive year.<br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz full-time faculty<br />
member, soprano saxophonist,<br />
and composer JAnE irA BlOOM was<br />
a recipient of a Guggenheim<br />
Fellowship. Awarded by the John<br />
Simon Guggenheim Memorial<br />
Foundation, winners are appointed<br />
on the basis of distinguished<br />
achievement in the past and<br />
exceptional promise for future<br />
accomplishment. Bloom was one<br />
of 189 winners, including artists,<br />
scholars, and scientists, selected<br />
from almost 2,800 applicants for<br />
awards totaling $7,600,000. Bloom<br />
is working on a composition based<br />
on Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams.<br />
AhMED ABDullAh (trumpet) was<br />
featured in an article, “Opening<br />
Chorus, Overdue Ovation,” in the<br />
October 2007 issue of JazzTimes.<br />
He serves as director of music at<br />
Sistas’ Place “where jazz—a music of the<br />
spirit—lives, and culture is a weapon.” <strong>The</strong><br />
establishment is now in its 13th season.<br />
Abdullah is also a teaching fellow with the<br />
Department of Education, teaching music<br />
in Bedford Stuyvesant at P.S. 3.<br />
Alvin ATKinsOn, Jr. (drums) released his<br />
album, Alvin Atkinson and the Sound<br />
Merchants, in 2007 and is touring with<br />
his band to 56 countries as part of Jazz at<br />
Lincoln Center’s Rhythm Road American<br />
Music Abroad program.<br />
In his latest CD, Furious Rubato (Origin<br />
Records, 2007), hAl GAlPEr (piano) teams<br />
up with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer<br />
John Bishop.<br />
Photo: Don Hamerman<br />
ArMEn DOnEliAn (piano) was once again<br />
selected as a Fulbright Senior Specialist to<br />
present a short series of lectures, seminars,<br />
and workshops overseas; this year, he<br />
was in residence at the Rhythmic Music<br />
Conservatory in Denmark.<br />
MiChAEl sCOTT KETTnEr ’01 (percussion)<br />
combines the legendary Maracatu Nação<br />
Estrela Brilhante from Recife, Brazil<br />
with his Brooklyn-based group, Nation<br />
Beat, for a cross-cultural collaboration.<br />
<strong>The</strong> result is an explosive debut CD,<br />
Jane Ira Blum with student Jeremy Viner<br />
Maracatuniversal (Scott Kettner, Producer;<br />
Co-Produced by Jorge Martins & <strong>The</strong><br />
Nation Beat). <strong>The</strong> album features Mestre<br />
Walter, Rhythmmaster Jorge Martins,<br />
Frank London, Maracatu <strong>New</strong> York<br />
(the percussion class/performance group<br />
founded by Kettner), and many others.<br />
Nation Beat was selected to perform at the<br />
January 2008 Global Fest in NYC.<br />
AMY lOnDOn’s (vocals) new CD, When I Look<br />
In Your Eyes (Motema Music, 2007), was<br />
hailed by vocal jazz legend Annie Ross as “a<br />
total delight.” A number of musicians are<br />
featured on the album, including faculty<br />
member DAn GrEEnBlATT and the late JOhn<br />
hiCKs, a former faculty member. London<br />
showcased her recordings at Dizzy’s Club<br />
Coca-Cola in December 2007. In addition,<br />
she was the closing performer of the first<br />
annual ImprovMagazine Live! Convention<br />
in <strong>New</strong> York City in October 2007.<br />
Arun luThrA ’97 (saxophone) has appeared<br />
on several albums including Russ Spiegel<br />
Sextet’s Chimera (Steeplechase Records,<br />
2007), ENJOY! by Travis Sullivan’s<br />
Bjorkestra (Koch Jazz, 2007), and Billy Fox’s<br />
<strong>The</strong> Uncle Wiggly Suite (Clean Feed Records,<br />
2007). He also led the Arun Luthra Quartet<br />
in performances in <strong>New</strong> York and California.<br />
In addition, he has recorded and<br />
performed with numerous groups<br />
nationwide and recently worked<br />
with the Phil Sparks Trio in Seattle.<br />
His latest project, a duo album<br />
with Arizona-based pianist Rachel<br />
Eckroth, will be released in 2008. He<br />
also appeared on Carols for a Cure,<br />
Volume 9, which was recorded by<br />
the Broadway theater community to<br />
promote awareness and raise money<br />
for the prevention, treatment, and<br />
cure of HIV/AIDS.<br />
JuniOr MAnCE (piano) released his<br />
album, Junior Mance live at Café<br />
Loup (JUNGLO Music, Inc,<br />
2007), featuring Junior Mance,<br />
piano; Jackie Williams, drums;<br />
Hide Tanaka, bass; and Jose James,<br />
vocals.<br />
AnDY MilnE (piano) has been<br />
teaching, touring, and collaborating<br />
extensively this year, including in<br />
London and Australia. His album, Scenarios<br />
(ObliqSound Records, 2007) includes<br />
a series of duets with <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz<br />
alumnus GrEGOirE MArET, ’98. Maret and<br />
Milne have been playing together since the<br />
late 90s in Milne’s band, Dapp <strong>The</strong>ory.<br />
A second recent album, Dreams & False<br />
Alarms (SongLines Recordings, 2007) was<br />
also released.<br />
JiMMY OWEns (trumpet) was recognized in<br />
November 2007 by the 35th Annual Brass<br />
Conference in NYC with a tribute and<br />
a scholarship in his honor. Owens also<br />
released his album Peaceful Walking (Jay-oh<br />
Productions, Inc.).<br />
ChArlOTTE sMAll (vocals) played to a<br />
standing-room-only audience at the <strong>The</strong>
Village Underground in a December 2007<br />
promotion for her new CD, More. <strong>The</strong><br />
Amsterdam <strong>New</strong>s hailed Small as “a gifted<br />
singer whose aptly titled More will have<br />
you hungering for more!” She also played at<br />
<strong>The</strong> Cutting Room in February 2008.<br />
JiM sniDErO (saxophone) released a new<br />
album, Tippin (Savant Records, 2007),<br />
his first recording with High Note/Savant<br />
records. Tippin brings Snidero back to his<br />
first years in <strong>New</strong> York in the early 1980’s<br />
as the saxophonist for organist Brother Jack<br />
Mcduff’s. <strong>The</strong> recording features Mike<br />
LeDonne on B3 and was recorded at the<br />
famed Rudy Van Gelder Studios.<br />
JOAn sTilEs (piano) appeared at Smalls<br />
and Sweet Rhythm in January 2008,<br />
performing selections from her latest<br />
album, Hurly-Burly (Oo-Bla-Dee Records,<br />
2007). <strong>The</strong> album has received a four-star<br />
review in Downbeat and other publications.<br />
It features Stiles leading an all-star sextet<br />
featuring Jeremy Pelt, Steve Wilson, Joel<br />
Frahm, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash.<br />
rOrY sTuArT released a new album, So Rise<br />
Up (SmartCatMusic, 2007), including<br />
original compositions played by his current<br />
quartet, including tenor saxophonist Mark<br />
Shim, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer<br />
Ari Hoenig. Rory performs frequently at<br />
Cornelia Street Café.<br />
Trio 3, featuring AnDrEW CYrillE (drums),<br />
OlivEr lAKE (saxophone), and full-time<br />
faculty member rEGGiE WOrKMAn, completed<br />
a second European tour and a run at Jazz<br />
Standard in February 2008.<br />
rAChEl z (piano and vocals) released her new<br />
album, Department of Good and Evil (Savoy<br />
Jazz Records), to rave reviews. She and her<br />
band, which includes <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> alum<br />
Maeve Royce, promoted the CD at top<br />
venues around the world and were featured<br />
in key publications including Jazz Times,<br />
Downbeat, and Keyboard Magazine.<br />
PETEr zAK’s (piano) latest album, My<br />
Conception (SteepleChase Records, 2007),<br />
features solo piano recorded at SteepleChase<br />
Studios in Denmark and includes five new<br />
compositions. This is Zak’s third album on<br />
SteepleChase.<br />
OPtIMIStIc PERSIStENcE:<br />
JOsé JAMEs<br />
t h e r e ’ S a r e a l b u z z a r o u N d t h e<br />
Jazz building about former student José<br />
James. His latest project has caught the<br />
attention of high-profile members of the<br />
jazz industry. With drive and perseverance,<br />
James has followed his musical aspirations<br />
and is making an impact in the jazz world.<br />
James, who has a background in<br />
performance, entered <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
José James<br />
for Jazz and Contemporary Music as a<br />
vocal major in the fall of 2005. Billie<br />
Holiday, Marvin Gaye, and John Coltrane<br />
are just a few of his inspirations. At <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Jazz he learned music theory and<br />
began collaborating with fellow student<br />
and bassist Alexi David. Eventually,<br />
this collaboration grew to include <strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Jazz students from around the<br />
world, including from Israel and Japan.<br />
Photo: Lars Beaulieu<br />
James developed a close relationship with<br />
legendary pianist and <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz<br />
faculty member Junior Mance. Mance<br />
appeared as the guest pianist on James’<br />
album, <strong>The</strong> Dreamer. <strong>The</strong> project also<br />
included current students Nori Ochiai<br />
(piano), Alexi David (bass), Steve Lyman<br />
(drums), Luke Damrosch (drums), Omar<br />
Abdulkarim (trumpet), Ryan Blum<br />
(keyboard), and Gal Ben Haim (guitar).<br />
Spring 2008<br />
Committed to his dream of<br />
making a name for himself,<br />
James traveled to London in the<br />
spring of 2006 for a jazz vocal<br />
competition. Though he did not<br />
advance into the final round, he<br />
took the opportunity to hand out<br />
his recordings. His music landed<br />
in the hands of Gilles Peterson,<br />
one of the world’s most respected<br />
DJ’s. Within two years, <strong>The</strong><br />
Dreamer was released on Peterson’s<br />
record label Brownswood Records<br />
(January 28, 2008). James has been<br />
in demand ever since. Radio spots<br />
on WNYC and high visibility in<br />
record stores in Japan and Europe,<br />
plus reviews in All About Jazz and<br />
<strong>The</strong> Guardian, all point to James’<br />
distinct style and the strength of<br />
the musicians who work with him.<br />
Determination, confidence, and courage are<br />
all components of James’ DNA. By taking<br />
advantage of opportunities, collaborating<br />
with strong musicians, utilizing university<br />
practice facilities, and persistently<br />
promoting his sound, James has become an<br />
artist to watch in 2008. James’ upcoming<br />
tour will take him to Japan, Scotland,<br />
Spain, <strong>The</strong> Netherlands, and Russia.<br />
To learn more about José James, visit<br />
www.josejamesmusic.com<br />
9
charles tolliver<br />
t h e g r a m m y awa r d S a r e a m o N g<br />
the most recognized honors in American<br />
music, and securing a nomination is no<br />
small feat. <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz captured a few<br />
moments with these legendary Grammynominated<br />
faculty members.<br />
When Downbeat asked Dizzy Gillespie to<br />
identify contemporary trumpet players he<br />
liked, he said, “Charles Tolliver—I like him.”<br />
ChArlEs TOllivEr makes his Blue Note<br />
Records debut as a leader on With Love,<br />
a superb recording of his fiery big band,<br />
which presents his extraordinary charts<br />
and distinctive trumpet-playing skills.<br />
Tolliver recruited a cross-generational<br />
lineup of stellar soloists, including pianists<br />
sTAnlEY COWEll and rOBErT GlAsPEr (Jazz<br />
alumnus); saxophonists BillY hArPEr (<strong>New</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> faculty member), Craig Handy, and<br />
Howard Johnson; trumpeter KEYOn hArrOlD<br />
(Jazz alumnus); a cohort of A-list section<br />
men; bassist Cecil McBee; and drummer<br />
Victor Lewis. All of the musicians articulate<br />
Tolliver’s vision with bravura performances.<br />
<strong>The</strong> album was nominated for a Grammy for<br />
the Best Large Ensemble Record.<br />
How did you come to <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong>?<br />
CT: I came to <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> back in<br />
1991 because of Reggie Workman. He was<br />
looking at their curriculum, and he had an<br />
epiphany. He was one of the major members<br />
of what we consider the greatest band that<br />
Art Blakey and <strong>The</strong> Jazz Messengers ever<br />
had, and his idea was to have an Art Blakey<br />
10<br />
2007 GrAMMY<br />
Bobby Sanabria<br />
and <strong>The</strong> Jazz Messengers course. Reggie<br />
asked me if I could teach this course. I said<br />
yes, and the rest is history.<br />
In your opinion, why does <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
for Jazz and Contemporary Music stand so<br />
far above other jazz programs?<br />
CT: Well I think that the strong emphasis on<br />
learning permeates our school’s curriculum.<br />
We’re creative, yet with an eye towards<br />
liberal arts requirements that a university<br />
should have. That is really appealing to the<br />
students who opt to come here.<br />
What is your expectation of our students?<br />
CT: My expectation is that the lesson plans<br />
that I give them are not taken as dogmatic<br />
but … as a guide for their development<br />
to become very good in the jazz field as<br />
performers or teachers. <strong>The</strong> only problem<br />
I see for them is learning how to be team<br />
players—so many of them are about solo<br />
performance or improv. Learning how to<br />
be a team player is as important as being a<br />
great soloist. By the end of the 15th week of<br />
the term, humility does set in. <strong>The</strong> thing<br />
that I enjoy about teaching as a performer<br />
at a university jazz set-up is that every once<br />
in awhile there is that twinkle in the eye of<br />
a student, which lets you know that they<br />
really did get it. Otherwise, it is like mass<br />
production and they feel it too. I have to<br />
give them some incentive that they too can<br />
achieve what we as faculty have achieved.<br />
What is in your CD player right now?<br />
CT: Actually, what I am listening to are the<br />
discs with the music that I will be teaching<br />
my students, which happens to be today’s<br />
lesson on Roy Ayers.<br />
What is your greatest vulnerability as a<br />
musician/artist?<br />
CT: When I’m not able to find the right<br />
available drummer. Unless you have a<br />
great agent getting you work, all the great<br />
drummers are busy. Everyone needs to have<br />
the right drummer—and that can be an<br />
charles tolliver<br />
Achilles’ heel for anyone. And that goes for<br />
finding the right trumpeter too.<br />
Where were you when you heard about<br />
your Grammy nomination?<br />
CT: I was waking up, and I got a phone call<br />
from Bruce Lundvall, president of Blue Note<br />
Records saying, “Congratulations you have<br />
a Grammy nomination.” I thought that was<br />
really neat. I called my son, Ched Tolliver,<br />
because I purposely made sure he had a spot<br />
on that record as a guitar player.<br />
Photos: Matthew Sussman
nOMinEEs<br />
Bobby Sanabria<br />
BOBBY sAnABriA—drummer/percussionist/<br />
composer/arranger/recording artist/<br />
producer, educator/and multiple Grammy<br />
nominee—has performed with a veritable<br />
Who’s Who in jazz and Latin music, as<br />
well as with his own critically acclaimed<br />
ensembles. His diverse recording and<br />
performing experience includes work with<br />
such legendary figures as Dizzy Gillespie,<br />
Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Mongo<br />
Santamaría, Ray Barretto, Arturo Sandoval,<br />
Chico O’Farrill, Candido, Francisco<br />
Aguabella, and the godfather of Afro-Cuban<br />
jazz, Mario Bauza. His album Big Band<br />
Urban Folktales (Jazzheads) was nominated<br />
for a 2007 Grammy Award for Best Latin<br />
Jazz Album.<br />
How did you come to <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong>?<br />
BS: A very beautiful story. I was teaching<br />
at a place called Drummer’s Collective,<br />
which is right down the block. I’ve sort of<br />
become known for not only teaching music<br />
and percussion instruments, but I also give a<br />
program.<br />
historical prospective on where<br />
the music comes from—its<br />
rhythmic roots in Africa, the<br />
diaspora, into the Caribbean, its<br />
evolution in Cuba, and finally<br />
how it fits with jazz in <strong>New</strong><br />
York City. [Someone] came in<br />
one day to the group class that<br />
I was teaching—a very well<br />
known Brazilian drummer by<br />
the name of Vandellez Perdia …<br />
he’s blind, but he is a fabulous<br />
drummer, and he just happen<br />
to sit in on the class because<br />
someone said, “Hey Bobby’s<br />
over there teaching.” He sat in<br />
and he didn’t leave the class.<br />
He was completely fascinated<br />
by the way I was teaching. At<br />
the time, he was a student at<br />
Mannes, and he recommended<br />
me to their administration.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y wanted me to teach a small<br />
ensemble—Afro-Cuban jazz.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first week that I was there,<br />
there were only ten people. <strong>The</strong><br />
second week, there were about<br />
20 people, all wanting to take<br />
the class. I asked if I could start<br />
a big band, and when Mannes<br />
got grandfathered by <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong>, I came into the<br />
In your opinion, why does <strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
for Jazz and Contemporary Music stand so<br />
far above other jazz programs?<br />
BS: I think what sets this school apart is the<br />
way the teachers mentor the students. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
is a free spirit, open-mindedness that lends<br />
itself to the jazz tradition. That’s not to say<br />
that there aren’t certain aspects of the school<br />
that need [improvement]. <strong>The</strong> requirements<br />
should be tougher, especially for drummers.<br />
Also, the saxophone players need to double<br />
on flute and soprano saxophone and clarinet<br />
so they can be competitive upon graduation.<br />
My philosophy is to give the students not<br />
what they want but what they need. I say<br />
if you can get through me you can make a<br />
living in music.<br />
What is your expectation of our students?<br />
BS: <strong>The</strong> highest level of excellence that I<br />
can possibly inspire in them. I’ve had some<br />
Spring 2008<br />
really talented students over the years, and<br />
those students are making an impact on<br />
the scene and making a contribution to the<br />
art form, which is good. <strong>The</strong> saddest thing<br />
for me to see is a former student working<br />
in a restaurant or doing something that is<br />
not related to music. Occasionally they are<br />
victims of circumstance that jazz is not on<br />
the radar screen of people. I’ve had students<br />
playing with Ludacris, which is great, and<br />
when this happens, feel like I am looking at<br />
my children succeeding.<br />
What is in your CD player right now?<br />
BS: I was listening to a compilation of music<br />
from the ’60’s and ’70’s of various Latin<br />
bands. I was just taking a little trip down<br />
memory lane. I was also listening to Santana,<br />
who affected me a lot as a kid. Now, as an<br />
adult, it affects me in a different way.<br />
What is your greatest vulnerability as a<br />
musician/artist?<br />
BS: I’ve faced every adversity there is to face in<br />
the music business. <strong>The</strong>re really isn’t anything<br />
that fazes me. <strong>The</strong> thing that would light my<br />
fire, so to speak, would be not getting paid at<br />
a gig, whether as the leader or the side-man.<br />
Other than that I have faced everything in<br />
this business that you could imagine. I have<br />
stories that could make the hairs stand up<br />
on the back of your [neck], and I have some<br />
great experiences and memories.<br />
Where were you when you heard about<br />
your Grammy nomination?<br />
BS: I was driving in Manhattan and a fellow<br />
musician called me and said, “Hey man,<br />
congratulations!” It was actually one of the<br />
musicians on the recording, so that was a nice<br />
feeling. I’m proud of the record because six of<br />
my former students are on the album—two<br />
from <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz. Yiessonn Villamar is<br />
on the piano and Justin Davis, the trumpeter,<br />
plays third trumpet on the album. Yeisson<br />
and Justin did a beautiful job. Whenever I<br />
can, I like to open the door for my students.<br />
<strong>The</strong> nicest thing about being nominated was<br />
that my son was with me at the ceremony,<br />
and he came up just before the winners were<br />
going to be announced and he said, “Dad,<br />
it doesn’t matter to me if you win, I just<br />
want you to know that I’m very proud of<br />
you.” That was one of the most sentimental<br />
moments I’ve ever shared with my son.<br />
11
55 West 13th Street, <strong>New</strong> York, NY 10011<br />
nEWs | spring 2008<br />
Jessica Arnold, Director of Alumni Relations<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
212.229.5662 x3557<br />
alumni@newschool.edu<br />
www.newschool.edu/alumni<br />
Mary Hastings, Director of Development<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and Contemporary Music<br />
212.229.5662 x4579<br />
hastingm@newschool.edu<br />
10%<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
beNefit coNcert<br />
monday, June 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.<br />
Tishman Auditorium<br />
66 West 12th Street<br />
<strong>The</strong> evening features performances by<br />
two of our best-known alumni pianists:<br />
rOBErT GlAsPEr and GrEG KursTin. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
Blue Note recording artists cross musical<br />
genres. Glasper is a star of the new jazz<br />
generation and Kurstin is a leading figure<br />
in contemporary music. <strong>The</strong> Robert<br />
Glasper Trio will open the program,<br />
followed by Kurstin’s group, the bird and<br />
the bee, whose hit song “Again and Again”<br />
was featured recently on the television<br />
show Grey’s Anatomy.<br />
To learn how to become a sponsor or<br />
to purchase VIP tickets for this event,<br />
visit www.jazz.newschool.edu or call<br />
212.229.5662 x3829<br />
More information can be found at<br />
www.newschool.edu/jazz/index2.html<br />
Nonprofit Org<br />
U.S. Postage<br />
Paid<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
J a z z f a c u lt y m e m b e r t e a c h e S<br />
at parSoNS Summer iNStitute<br />
This summer, <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> Jazz will<br />
participate in the Parsons Pre-College<br />
Academy, a summer program for students<br />
in grades four through twelve. Faculty<br />
member and alumnus Scott Kettner ’01<br />
will teach Big Beat: Brazilian Percussion.<br />
<strong>The</strong> session runs August 4–15.<br />
Spring Programming<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> for Jazz and<br />
Contemporary Music is finishing up<br />
another great year at Sweet Rhythm!<br />
<strong>The</strong> spring 2008 semester marks our<br />
fourth year of student and faculty<br />
performances at this historic venue.<br />
Come by on Monday nights to hear<br />
some great <strong>New</strong> <strong>School</strong> jazz!<br />
For more information, visit<br />
www.newschool.edu/jazz