History

In 1986, a radical idea was born at The New School: to create a college where professional jazz musicians would teach their art in a sustained degree curriculum. The integration of the music and educational communities has produced a new breed of jazz musician, one whose musical artistry is paired with a solid academic foundation. The quality and uniqueness of the school lie in its "artist as mentor" pedagogy. For example, bass players have the opportunity to work with more than 30 leading musicians, like the legendary NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman, who played with John Coltrane, and Linda Oh.

Alumni of our school include musicians in every area of jazz, blues, and contemporary music: Peter Bernstein, Brad Mehldau, John Popper, Larry Goldings, Walter Blanding, Avishai Cohen, Jesse Davis, Rebecca Coupe Franks, Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, Susie Ibarra, Ali M. Jackson, Virginia Mayhew, Carlos McKinney, Shedrick Mitchell, Vickie Natale, Bilal Oliver, Jaz Sawyer, Alex Skolnick, E.J. Strickland, Marcus Strickland, Manuel Valera, and many others.