Todd Coolman
Todd Coolman (born July 14, 1954) is a jazz bassist and a tenured Professor of Music at the Jazz Studies Program in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College in Westchester County, New York.[1] He is also the Director of the Skidmore Jazz Institute.[2]
Since moving to New York in 1978, he has performed with Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Slide Hampton, Stan Getz, Tommy Flanagan, and countless others. He is probably best known for his 26-year association with the James Moody Quartet. Coolman has recorded with numerous jazz musicians in many contexts and has also released four recordings under his own leadership; "Tomorrows" (1990), “Lexicon” (1995), "Perfect Strangers" (2008) and "Collectables" (2016). In 1999, Coolman won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes for Miles Davis Quintet 1965-1968 and in 2011 he performed on the IPO release entitled, "4B" with the James Moody Quartet that won the Grammy Award that year for, "Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group."
He has written two method books related to jazz bass playing; "The Bass Tradition" and "The Bottom Line" both published by Aebersold Publishing.
In 1997, Coolman received a Ph.D. in music and the performing arts from New York University.[1]
He lives in Denville, New Jersey and is originally from Gary, Indiana.[3][1]
Discography
As leader
- Tomorrows (BRC Records)
- Lexicon (Double-Time Records)
- Perfect Strangers (ArtistShare)
- Collectables (Sunnyside Records)
As sideman
Selected Discography:
With James Moody: Something Special, Moving Forward, Sweet and Lovely Honey- all RCA Novus, Young at Heart, Moody Plays Mancini- Warner Bros.
Homage- Savoy, Our Delight, Moody 4A, Moody 4B (Grammy Award,”Best Instrumental Jazz Recording)– IPO Records
With Gerald Wilson: Monterey Moods, Detroit – Mack Avenue Records
With Idan Sandhaus: Music For Jazz Orchestra
With Ahmad Jamal: Live in Paris- '92- Birdology
With Terry Gibbs: Chicago Fire, Holiday for Swing- Contemporary
With David Newman: Blue Head- Candid
With Bobby Watson: Advance Bop- Enja
With Lionel Hampton: Made in Japan- Glad Hamp
With Hal Galper: Invitation to a Concert- Concord, Live in Port Townsend- Double Time
With Jody Sandhaus: A Fine Spring Morning- Saranac
With Libby York: Sunday in New York- bluJazz
With John Campbell: After Hours- Contemporary
With Rob Schneiderman: Radio Waves- Reservoir
With Gerald Wilson
- Monterey Moods (Mack Avenue, 2007)
References
- 1 2 3 Staudter, Thomas (5 February 2006). "The Professor Who Teaches By Doing". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ↑ Jewell, Marcella (2 July 2012). "Five Questions for Todd Coolman". saratogian.com. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ↑ Stewart, Zan (5 March 2009). "Bassist Todd Coolman bases his life on sharing his music". nj.com. New Jersey. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
External links
- Official Website
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009928725734
- Todd Coolman's Trifecta Trio Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/ToddCoolmanJazz/?ref=hl
- Twitter: @ToddCoolman