By Dan Gross Pianist-composer Bill Dobbins has been an esteemed member of Eastman’s jazz faculty twice: from 1973 to 1994, and again from 2002 to the present. He is now Professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media, as well as conductor of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and Eastman Studio Orchestra. His Eastman career has spanned…
“An overall inspiring presence”: composer-conductor Juan Trigos By Dan Gross Mexican composer and conductor Juan Trigos was in residence as Eastman’s Howard Hanson Visiting Professor from April 2 to April 8. His music, including the world premiere of his String Quartet No. 2 with Italian soprano Danilla D’Ingulfo, was featured in two recitals, and Trigos…
By Dan Gross Rochester-born David Finck grew up in Philadelphia, but returned in the 1970s to study at Eastman, where he graduated in 1980. Since then he’s become one of the jazz world’s premiere free-lance bassists, making recordings with musicians from André Previn to George Michael. In the most recent, Low Standards on the SoundStream…
Organist and DMA Candidate Thomas Gaynor Wins First Prize in St. Albans International Organ Festival Competition Eastman School of Music DMA and Artist Certificate candidate Thomas Gaynor has won First Prize Interpretation and Audience Prize in the 2017 St. Albans International Organ Festival Competition, one of the leading competitions in the world. The competition was…
Eastman Masterclass to Give Aspiring Conductors an Opportunity to Enhance Their Skills Up-and-coming orchestral conductors will have an opportunity to sharpen their skills at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music during a conducting masterclass on Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21. Professor of Conducting and Ensembles Neil Varon will lead the program,…
Karl Stabnau performing at the Rochester Public Library during Jazz Festival 2016 By Dan Gross Karl Stabnau graduated from Eastman (BM ’11); MM in Music Education with jazz emphasis in December 2013. Among many other things, he is currently the Jazz Director at SUNY Brockport and the college’s music business coordinator. Instead of playing as…
By Kameron Ghanavati Beethoven’s most celebrated work, the finale from his Ninth Symphony, will be performed as part of the annual program of Summer Sings! here at Eastman on Thursday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall. It is the first performance in the Eastman “Summer Sings” series of readings of great choral masterworks.…
The Wee Trio: James Westfall, Dan Loomis, Jared Schonig By Dan Gross The Wee Trio is James Westfall (vibes) plus two Eastman alumni: Dan Loomis (bass), and Jared Schonig (drums), and they’re coming to the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, following their release of Wee + 3. While it’s mostly just the trio, a few…
Trombonist and composer Nick Finzer By Dan Gross An award-winning composer, arranger, and trombonist, Eastman alumnus Nick Finzer is bringing the joy and power of Jazz to both traditional fans and the most modern 21st century audiences. He’s on a mission to be a passionate voice defining the sound of Jazz in this age while…
Trumpeter Mike Cottone By Dan Gross Jazz trumpet player Mike Cottone is a native of Rochester, New York, and attended Eastman and Juilliard. He has performed and recorded with Al Jarreau, Robin Thicke, Neil Diamond, Ruben Blades, Mike Garson, Paul Anka, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and attended the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, led…