Todd Coolman
Two-time Grammy award-winning bassist Todd Coolman is among the more in-demand musicians on the New York music scene today. Since moving to New York in 1978, he has performed and/or recorded with a virtual “who’s who” of jazz artists including Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Tommy Flanagan, Ahmad Jamal, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, and numerous others. Coolman enjoyed a 25-year stint with the James Moody Quartet and continues to actively perform today with an impressive array of artists including Jon Faddis and Renee Rosnes.
Todd has released three CDs as a leader, Tomorrows, Lexicon, and Perfect Strangers. He has also written two books, The Bass Tradition and The Bottom Line. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Todd Coolman is a jazz educator. He is a Professor of Music in the Jazz Studies Program in the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College (SUNY), a program he formerly directed for 10 years. He was selected for the 2001-2003 Doris and Karl Kempner Distinguished Professorship at Purchase and has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2011 Todd was appointed Director of the Skidmore Jazz Institute. Todd is also in demand as a clinician and lecturer at universities throughout the world, and is frequently sought after as a writing and research consultant for jazz history and CD liner-note projects. Todd received his Ph.D. in music from New York University.
