Deborah Conquest Instructor of Vocal Jazz DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Ms. ConquestBIOGRAPHY Deborah Conquest is an American soprano, vocal pedagogue, and founder of Conquest Voice Studio in Rochester, New York. She holds a Master of Music in Voice from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), and a Bachelor of…
Marshall Gilkes Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor GilkesBIOGRAPHY Over the course of the past 20 years, Marshall Gilkes has established himself as one of the world’s preeminent trombonists. A nonpareil artist at the forefront of brass playing, his virtuosic command of the instrument, marked by…
Otis Brown III Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor BrownBIOGRAPHY The son of music educators turned high school Principals, Grammy nominated drummer Otis Brown III is committed to honoring tradition while pushing the boundaries of genre. Having grown up in Newark, N.J. to the sounds of gospel,…
Dawn Thomson Instructor of Vocal Jazz DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Ms. ThomsonBIOGRAPHY Dawn Thomson is a jazz guitarist and vocalist born in Hastings Nebraska and grew up in Montreal. She lived in New York City for many years where she studied with renowned guitarists Jim Hall and Emily Remler. She later…
Sara Gazarek Associate Professor of Jazz Voice DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor GazarekPersonal WebsiteBIOGRAPHY Graced with an “impeccable” voice (Winnipeg Free Press) and hailed as an artist who “may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer” by the LA Times, two-time GRAMMY Award® winning jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek…
Christine Jensen Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media Director, Eastman Jazz Orchestra DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor JensenBIOGRAPHY As a Downbeat Critic’s Poll winner for Rising Star Big Band, Arranger, and Soprano Saxophonist, Christine Jensen is constantly in motion leading her own jazz orchestra and small ensemble. Her jazz orchestra recordings have gone on…
Gary Versace Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media, Piano Academic Leave Fall 2025 DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor VersaceBIOGRAPHY Originally hailing from Cos Cob, CT, jazz pianist, organist, and accordionist Gary Versace is one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene, often featured in bands…
Dave Rivello Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media Director, Eastman New Jazz Orchestra DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor Rivello585-274-1455BIOGRAPHY Dave Rivello directs the award winning New Jazz Ensemble at the Eastman School of Music. In addition to this, Dave is also a freelance composer/arranger/music copyist. He has served as…
Charles Pillow Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone DEPARTMENTJazz Studies & Contemporary MediaCONTACT INFOEmail Professor Pillow585-274-1015BIOGRAPHY With 7 recordings to his credit, Charles Pillow has established himself as one of the premier woodwind instrumentalists and saxophonists of the day. His recordings include, “Electric Miles” 2018 on MAMA, his large ensemble featuring the music of Miles Davis,…
Bill Dobbins Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media BIOGRAPHY Bill Dobbins is Professor Emeritus of jazz studies & contemporary media at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He joined the faculty in 1973, and was instrumental in designing the curricula for the masters and bachelors degree programs offered by Eastman’s…