Jazz studies
The Jazz Studies Program
Jazz is thriving at the Conservatory of Music, where students and faculty collaborate on a wide range of projects. Our students are mentored by an accomplished professional faculty and take private lessons with some of the most renowned musicians based in New York City. Our students also record on state-of-the-art equipment and perform in a variety of venues both on and off campus.
Supportive/Collegial Atmosphere
There is a strong sense of community among our students. Our faculty members are all resident, which creates a stimulating atmosphere for the student, and our affiliate teachers are known to “drop in” on classes unannounced to see what’s going on and to contribute.
Performance
At Purchase College there are numerous opportunities to perform in and out of the curriculum. Each student performs in their Repertoire and small combo class. We also have a big band and a Latin jazz band. There is a jazz club on campus with student performances every Thursday evening, and our students perform regularly at openings for the Neuberger Museum of Art on campus. Students also perform for various receptions and as opening acts for major artists at The Performing Arts Center on campus. Off campus, we have established steady weekly gigs at local clubs. Many of our students also perform at Manhattan venues like the Knitting Factory.
Facilities
Our Music Building has 75 practice rooms, 102 Steinway grand pianos, four fully-equipped recording studios, and 50 student producers to record concerts and recording dates. The Music Building has five fully-equipped rehearsal spaces for ensembles and two large performance spaces, and there are world-class performance spaces in The Performing Arts Center. (For further information, go to the Conservatory’s main Facilities page.)
Location, Location, Location
Purchase College is located 35 miles north of the jazz mecca of the world, New York City. We take full advantage of our location by drawing on the talent pool in NYC for our faculty. The College has a bus service that takes students to and from NYC, and public transportation to NYC is easily accessible.
Artist Faculty
Saxophone
Eric Alexander
Jimmy Greene
Ralph Lalama
Mark Vinci
Steve Wilson
Trumpet
Jon Faddis (Director of Jazz Performance)
Jim Rotondi
Scott Wendholt
Trombone
John Fedchock
Guitar
Doug Munro (Director Emeritus)
John Abercrombie
Randy Johnston
Voice (not offered to new students)
Piano
Charles Blenzig
David Hazeltine
Hal Galper
Pete Malinverni
Bass
Todd Coolman (Director of Jazz Studies)
Kermit Driscoll
Dave Ruffels
Doug Weiss
Drums
Richie Morales
John Riley
Kenny Washington
Vibraphone
Ted Piltzecker
Latin Percussion
Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, Jr.
Latin Jazz Orchestra
Arturo O'Farrill
For more information, visit the main Music Faculty page.