The New School for
Jazz and Contemporary Music

BA, New York University

Richard Boukas has been a core faculty member at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music since 1989. A 2010 recipient of the New School University Distinguished Teaching Award, he has also taught at Mannes, William Paterson College and NYU. A worldwide recognized expert in Brazilian music, he founded the New School Brazilian Jazz Ensemble, Brazilian Choro Ensemble and Early Music Choir (Choral Musicianship). An acclaimed Jazz and Brazilian guitarist, vocalist, composer and ensemble leader for thirty five years (Quarteto Moderno, Duo with Jovino Santos Neto, Amazôna), his recordings include Balaio, Tudo de Bom, Amazôna, Embarcadero and Commitment. A four-time recipient of NEA Jazz Performance Grant, he was chosen “Best Brazilian Jazz Guitarist in U.S” (Guitar One magazine) and was a featured columnist for Just Jazz Guitar. Boukas is an itinerant composer of Brazilian, jazz, chamber and choral music, receiving an MA in Composition from Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music. Solo artist residencies include Campos do Jordão (Brazil), Harvard, Cornell, Denver Univ., Cincinnati Conservatory and National Guitar Workshop. He has endorsed LaBella Strings since 1980.