Jazz Studies News

Samara Joy ’21 Wins 6th Grammy Award

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by President/CEO Scott Altman '90, was also a winner.

Countdown to the 2026 GRAMMYS: Meet Our Nominees!

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

A big shout-out to our amazingly talented performers, producers, and faculty from our Conservatory of Music.

Cameron Carrella ’19 is Honored for Excellence in Music Education and Performance

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

A talented Jazz Studies graduate and dedicated music teacher, Carrella was named winner of the North Shore Symphony Orchestra's Long Island Music Educator's Performance Prize.

2025 Grammy Awards: Big Night for Jazz Studies

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Samara Joy '21 continues her Grammy streak, and Jaylen Petinaud '20 played drums on the award-winning Hell's Kitchen Original Broadway Cast Recording.

Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards Announced

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Purchase boasts four nominees in five categories.

Big Night at the Grammys

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Congratulations to three members of the Purchase music community on winning four awards at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

Adam Birnbaum’s New Album “Preludes” Wins Praise

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Professor of Jazz Studies acclaimed in recent interviews for fresh interpretation of Baroque classics.

Film by Jordan Tetewsky ’16 is New York Times Critic’s Pick

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

The film demonstrates the collaborative DIY culture found at Purchase—it stars musician Hannah Lee Thompson '17 and several alums were on the crew.

Samara Joy ’21 is the Grammy’s Best New Artist!

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

The jazz sensation also won Best New Jazz Vocal Album.

Regina Spektor ’01 Re-Releases Formative Album 11:11

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Spektor wrote and recorded 11:11 as a student in the Studio Composition program.

Soul Voices Director Knoelle Higginson on AGT

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Higginson appeared with the Sing Harlem Choir she directs.

Samara Joy ’21 on the TODAY Show

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Joy delivers a sultry "Stardust" valentine, performing one of her favorite standards.

Prof. Pete Malinverni Turns to Purchase Family on New Recording

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0500

On the Town—Pete Malinverni Plays Leonard Bernstein is also garnering solid press.

Jazz Artist Anaïs Reno Performs at Citifield

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0400

The 17-year-old singer performed a stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful" during the Mets and Yankees subway series game on the 20th anniversary of September 11.

Lucy Wijnands ’20 Wins Prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition

Fri, 07 May 2021 04:00:00 -0400

And learned of her win on what would have been Fitzgerald's 104th birthday.

David De Jesus ’04 Plays on Grammy-Nominated Album

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0500

The alum and professor was a member of Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Yancy Garcia Named Next Ella Fitzgerald Scholar

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0400

We are pleased to announce a new Ella Fitzgerald Scholar, Yancy Garcia. We remain grateful to the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation for their essential support.

Spike Wilner MM ’07 Reopens NYC Jazz Club

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Alumnus Spike Wilner, owner of Smalls Jazz Club and Mezzrow, is using creative strategies to reopen. Smalls will be the first NYC jazz club to return to live, on-site performances!

Jazz Studies Head Pete Malinverni Featured on Public Radio

Wed, 20 May 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Vocalist Lucy Wijnands ’20 Finalist in Prestigious Competition

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Congratulations to Lucy Wijnands '20 (jazz studies), named one of five finalists of the Ella Fitzgerald Competition.

Jon Samson ’03 Wins a Grammy

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0500

For Best Children's Album

Remembering Professor Vic Juris

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0500

Meet Andy Roninson

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0500

Being surrounded by writers, artists, actors, producers, etc. allowed me to collaborate in monumental ways, including cowriting and coproducing two full-length musicals in the Humanities Building.

Samara McLendon ’21 Wins Prestigious Sassy Award

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0500

She competed to win the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

Cyrille Aimée ’09 Earns Grammy Nomination

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0500

Award category is for best arrangement.

Jazz Program featured at ArtsWestchester’s JazzFest

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 04:00:00 -0400

Purchase faculty and students will be featured at four events during ArtsWestchester's annual JazzFest.

Jazz Performers Inspired by Poetry

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0400

On Wednesday, April 10, an audience packed the Neuberger Museum of Art's Center Gallery to hear jazz musicians interpret the poetry of Kevin Young.

Meet Lucas Cantor

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0400

There was always a practice room available, there was always someone to jam with, and there was always a faculty member to point you in the right direction.

Meet Samara McLendon

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0400

I felt an overwhelming sense of community the moment I stepped in the doors.

Meet Logan Maxwell

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0400

Being a student of the Purchase Jazz Studies program means more than just staying in a practice room...It means getting to know who you are as a musician.

Meet Lucy Wijnands

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0400

"Attending Purchase was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made!"

Meet Kira Goidel

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 04:00:00 -0400

"[Purchase] was great for a person like me, because I was able to explore many of my interests. Purchase made the tools available and I just had to take advantage of them."

Meet Jo Lawry

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 04:00:00 -0400

"My time at Purchase College was formative and unforgettable…the opportunity to learn from such luminaries was mind-blowing."

Meet Sam Taylor

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 05:00:00 -0500

"Purchase gave me the space to grow and discover who I would become, musically and personally."

Meet Cyrille Aimée

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 05:00:00 -0500

"I think the most beautiful thing that Purchase provided to me was a sense of community. The people I met at Purchase are the people who I grew musically with, and will continue to do so forever."

Meet Sam Dillon

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 05:00:00 -0500

Purchase played a critical role in my life and deeply shaped the musician I am today.

Meet Bruce Harris

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 05:00:00 -0500

Through the mentorship of my professors, I was given the encouragement and guidance to become a professional musician and, through their example, a responsible man.

Faculty Member part of Jazz Supergroup ARTEMIS

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 05:00:00 -0500

Trumpeter Ingrid Jensen is part of ARTEMIS, an all-female jazz supergroup.

Pete Malinverni Has Music in his Soul

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 05:00:00 -0500

"Pete's just got the biggest heart. He's always trying to make sure that everyone's comfortable with what we're talking about. As a musician, he makes me love music more."

Meet Alex Hamburger

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0400

I could easily go on and on about all the musical things I learned and how they helped me grow into the musician I am today but what's really special about Purchase is the family and the community.

Meet Maria Quintanilla

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0400

I remember meeting Pete Malinverni at my audition and feeling immediately at home.

Meet Vinny Raniolo

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0400

Purchase was the perfect atmosphere for me develop my skills and find my path in music.

Meet Matt Garrison

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0400

Purchase College allows a student to find their voice, while simultaneously informing them of the techniques and history that have come before.

Meet Jun Xiao

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0400

I was always encouraged to find my own sound, and the faculty always created chances for every student. The Jazz program provides a wonderful vibe, good mentorship and helpful friends.

Meet Matt Simons

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 04:00:00 -0400

At Purchase, I learned the discipline necessary to make a career in music possible yet always felt free to follow my musical compass.

Meet Adam Christgau

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"I've been grateful to have a music career largely in part to the training I got while I was at Purchase College."

Meet Aaron Seeber

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 04:00:00 -0400

Being at Purchase really helped me to create the career that I wanted for myself...the Purchase community feels like a family that I will have for the rest of my life.

Meet Nadav Snir-Zelniker

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 04:00:00 -0400

The jazz program at Purchase enabled me to focus on developing my skills…and to understand the demands of "the real world."

Jazz Program featured at ArtsWestchester’s JazzFest

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 04:00:00 -0400

Purchase faculty and students will be featured at three events during ArtsWestchester's annual JazzFest.

Meet Richie Morales

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"To my great pleasure I found myself involved in a warm, artistic, nurturing yet rigorous academic environment, which still exists [here] now, having become a world class program."

Meet Quentin Angus

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"None of this would have been possible without Purchase College."

Meet Ben Barnett

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"While at Purchase I was lucky enough to get my butt whooped by heavy hitters on the faculty. Without them I wouldn't understand what it truly takes to make music."

Interviews with Jon Faddis

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 04:00:00 -0400

Meet Daniel Glaude

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"At every turn I've been helped by the education I received at Purchase."

Meet Wayne Tucker

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"My time at Purchase was special because I was encouraged to play music from many genres, and I met my best friends."

Meet the Heads of Jazz

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 04:00:00 -0400

"The most enlivening thing part of being part of Jazz@Purchase is our always engaged and inspiring students. As I see their tremendous growth at school, abetted by our dedicated and experienced faculty, and as I see them working out their skills in the Jazz Mecca that is New York City, I know we're doing right, that the future is secure." ~ Pete Malinverni

"I believe we have become positioned as one of the leading programs within public education in the world" ~ Todd Coolman

Jazz Instructor wins Musician and Record of the Year

Mon, 21 May 2018 04:00:00 -0400

Visiting Affiliate Artist Matt Wilson wins the Jazz Journalists Association Musician of the Year and Record of the Year awards.

Jazz Studies Onstage and On-Air in April

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 04:00:00 -0400

April bursts with jazz studies performances in New York City and recordings featured on WBGO Jazz 88.3fm.

Jazz Alum Releases “Epic Recording”

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 05:00:00 -0500

Wayne Tucker '09 releases Wake Up And See The Sun to rave reviews.

Alumus Bruce Harris’ Debut Album Receives Rave Reviews

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 04:00:00 -0400

"You're in for a treat. He's got his game together in every way, shape, and form."

Jazz Legend, John Abercrombie, Dies at 72

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 04:00:00 -0400

Purchase mourns the loss of our faculty member and the legendary jazz guitarist.

New Affiliate Artist in Jazz Finds Music in Sandburg’s Poetry

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 04:00:00 -0400

Our newest jazz affiliate artist, Matt Wilson, has released an album featuring the poetry of Carl Sandburg.

Jon Faddis uses social media to bring jazz to youth

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 04:00:00 -0400

Professor Jon Faddis broadcast live from Louis Armstrong's house

Purchase in the News

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 04:00:00 -0400

Latest release by Pete Malinverni reviewed on Huffington Post.

Ingrid Jensen’s New Album is a Family Affair

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 04:00:00 -0400

Ingrid Jensen, trumpeter extraordinaire and visiting affiliate artist in jazz studies, is currently touring her new album, Infinitude, with her sister Christine, husband Jon Wikan, guitar whiz Ben Monder, and bassist Fraser Hollins.

Purchase Jazz Students Featured on WBGO

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 04:00:00 -0400

Purchase Jazz Combo, the Ahmad Jamal Tribute Group, were featured on WBGO 88.3FM in Newark, the NYC area's only 24-hour jazz radio station during the on-air celebration of April, Jazz Appreciation Month.