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New York Jazz Academy Teachers

Teaches at New York Jazz Academy

​Adam Birnbaum
Adam Birnbaum is emerging as one of the top young voices in jazz piano. Since arriving on the New York scene in 2003, he has become increasingly prominent performing in clubs and festivals around the world, working with artists as diverse as Greg Osby, Al Foster, Eddie Henderson, Carl Allen, and Wynton Marsalis. 

Dan Blankinship
Dan Blankinship is a soulful and versatile trumpet player, composer, and educator. Born and raised in Richmond, VA, he started playing the trumpet at age 11. Dan is a proud member of The Flail, a cooperative jazz quintet that has been playing and composing together since 2001; they have released three albums, toured France several times, and regularly perform such venues as Blues Alley, Smalls, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, and Fat Cat. He also freelances with small combos and big bands in styles ranging from modern to traditional jazz and son cubano to salsa. 

Dave Ambrosio
Bassist and Bata drummer David Ambrosio, originally from the New York area, has been a vital component of New York’s Jazz scene for more than 15 years. Since the start of his career in New York City David has played with an extensive list of jazz greats such as pianist Kenny Werner, legendary vibraphone/clarinet duo Terry Gibbs and Buddy DeFranco, George Garzone, Joseph Jarmon and Ralph Alessi. 

David Engelhard
Born and raised in Atlanta, David Engelhard is gaining recognition as an extraordinarily talented saxophonist and arranger. He is widely known for his work with GRAMMY-Award winning Zac Brown Band. Here David developed a strong reputation for his Saxophone playing as well as his arranging skills. His musical career began with years of playing classical piano, but the most influential experience was listening Charlie Parker.

JC Sanford
Trombonist/composer/conductor JC Sanford is a musician of rare breadth, deeply rooted in the traditions of Jazz and Classical music, yet constantly pushing at their boundaries. As a trombonist, JC has performed with many of the jazz world’s leading figures, such as Matt Wilson, Danilo Perez, and John McNeil. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by John Abercrombie, Lew Soloff, Dave Liebman, Ingrid Jensen, and modern classical pianist Andrew Russo, to name a few.

Lindsey Horner
Bassist Lindsey Horner is one of the more versatile musicians in jazz and modern music. He has most often been heard with musicians on the cutting edge recording and performing with artists such as Greg Osby, Bill Frisell, Bobby Previte, Dave Douglas and Muhal Richard Abrams. 

Michael Webster
Saxophonist Michael Webster’s compositions have been played by Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell and Arturo O’Farrill at Birdland and by John Benitez at the Blue Note in New York City. In March 2008, Michael conducted the Grammy winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra at Symphony Space in Manhattan, where they premiered his original commissioned composition “Mombogro”. He returned to lead the ALJO’s performance of two commissioned arrangements in October 2008 featuring guitarist/composer Michele Ramo.

Oscar Feldman
Known for his splendid tonalities, Argentinian native Oscar Feldman demonstrates superb skills on alto, tenor and soprano saxes, while employing a wide range of pan-american references, from straight ahead to tango, candombe, samba, and mambo. Feldman studied at Berklee College of music where he graduated cum laude in 1995 with a Major in Professional Music.

Pete Zimmer
Pete Zimmer, a gifted and articulate drummer, composer, and educator, moved to Queens, New York in June of 2001 after his completion at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. Upon his arrival in the Big Apple Mr. Zimmer quickly became recognized for his uncanny swing and propulsive authority; all while maintaining a very high sense of musicality when seated behind the drums.

Ron Horton
Since 1982, trumpeter Ron Horton has been an integral part of New York’s flourishing jazz scene and he stands out both as an exemplary instrumentalist and as a highly progressive composer and arranger. Whether called upon as a sideman or as a leader of one of his own ensembles, he shows that he is committed to further expanding the existing perimeters of jazz.

Tim Ferguson

Bassist Tim Ferguson has been a highly regarded fixture on the New York scene for the last 20 years, playing and touring with his own projects and as a side-man with a variety of acclaimed jazz artists, including Don Friedman, Cecil Bridgewater, Mel Lewis, Eddie Harris, Tony Scott, George Cables, Stefon Harris, Vanessa Rubin and the world famous Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. 

Tom Dempsey
Guitarist Tom Dempsey’s reputation for hard swinging sophistication and pure musicality have made him a distinct voice in the New York jazz scene. Dempsey has performed and/or recorded with a virtual “Who’s Who” of world renowned jazz musicians including: George Coleman, Kenny Barron, Roy Haynes, Bobby McFerrin, Jack McDuff, Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, Brad Mehldau, John Scofield, Tal Farlow, Buddy Montgomery, Gerald Wilson, Mel Torme, Richard Wyands, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Dave Brubeck. 

Vanderlei Pereira

Drummer and Rio de Janeiro native Vanderlei Pereira is one of the most sought-after musicians on the contemporary Brazilian jazz scene. Combining a prodigious knowledge of Brazilian rhythms with dazzling technique and a distinctive touch, Vanderlei has captivated audiences around the world with his unique and electrifying performances. 

Wayne Escoffery
Since moving to New York City in 2000, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery has become one of the Jazz world’s most talented rising stars and in-demand sidemen. At only 32 he has recorded four CDs as a leader and been on numerous recordings as a sideman. Wayne began his professional New York career touring and recording with The Eric Reed Septet. 

Classes taught by New York Jazz Academy Teachers

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