Coolman, Todd (Francis)

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Coolman, Todd (Francis)

Coolman, Todd (Francis) , jazz bassist, educator, pianist; b. Gary, Ind., July 14, 1954. After receiving a B.M. from Ind. Univ. (1975), he moved to N.Y. (1978) and has become one of the most in-demand bassists, performing with Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Tommy Flanagan, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, and numerous others. In the mid-1990s, he worked with James Moody, Ahmad Jamal, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, and The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. Coolman earned an M.M. at Manhattan School of Music (1986), and Ph.D. from N.Y.U. School of Education jazz program (1997). A dedicated educator and author, he has taught at William Paterson Coll. (1981–88), SUNY at Stony Brook (1994–98), City Coll. of N.Y (1998), and joined the full-time faculty at the Purchase Coll. Cons, of Music (September 1998).

Discography

Tomorrows (1990); Lexicon (1991).

—Lewis Porter