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| MusicFaculty
Directory
Jazz Studies
Office: Rehearsal Hall 105 | Phone: 732-932-8307 
Stanley CowellJazz piano a brilliant, classically trained pianist and composer, is one of the greatest living exponents of jazz. He performs professionally -- as a solo pianist and in ensemble formations from duo to orchestra -- in a variety of venues, from jazz club to concert hall, often utilizing electronic sounds and African finger piano. He has an impressive list of recordings as both a composer and pianist, performing with such artists as Sonny Rollins, Clifford Jordan, Oliver Nelson, Donald Byrd, Roy Haynes, Richard Davis, Art Pepper, Jimmy Heath and many more. His formal training in music is extensive: a Bachelor's degree in music from Oberlin and a Master of Music from University of Michigan. He's also studied at the Mozarteum Akademie in Salzburg and has done graduate work at Wichita State and University of Southern California.
Office: Music 206 | Phone: 732-932-8713 
Conrad HerwigJazz Trombone New York jazz trombonist Conrad Herwig has recorded seventeen albums as a leader. His latest release on Half Note Records, "Another Kind of Blue: The Latin Side of Miles Davis" was recorded live at the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. With special guests Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Valentin, and Brian Lynch this recording received a 2005 GRAMMY nomination. This CD is the long awaited follow up to the 1998 Grammy-nominated "Latin Side of John Coltrane". His other recent solo recordings include "Obligation", "Que Viva Coltrane", co-led with Brian Lynch, and "Heart of Darkness" on Criss Cross Records, which received 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat Magazine. He has also been voted #1 Jazz Trombone(TDWR) in the 1998, 1999, and 2002 Downbeat International Jazz Critic's Poll. Conrad has been a featured member in the Joe Lovano Nonet (featured as a soloist on Lovano's Grammy Award winning "52nd St. Themes"), Tom Harrell's Septet and Big Band, and the Joe Henderson Sextet. Conrad has also performed and recorded with Eddie Palmieri's La Perfecta II and Afro-Caribbean-Jazz Octet, Paquito D'Rivera's Havana-New York Connection, and the Mingus Big Band (often serving as musical director). Herwig is a recipient of performance and teaching grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and is currently Professor of Jazz Studies at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Conrad has been on the Board of Directors of the International Trombone Association. An in-demand jazz educator, Conrad Herwig is a Conn-Selmer clinician and performs on Bach Stradivarius trombones, as well as composing and arranging exclusively using Sibelius Music Notation software.
Office: RHL 209A | Phone: 732-932-3177 
Vic JurisJazz guitar Inspired by Chuck Berry, Vic Juris taught himself to play guitar, and in his mid-teens was appearing with Rock and R&B bands. But soon he discovered jazz and classical guitar music. This led to a wide range of musical experiences. He has worked with artists from Birelli LaGrene to Larry Coryell. He has appeared on almost 40 CDs. His own recordings range from Road Song (Muse) to his latest CDs Night Tripper and Pastels (Steeple Chase).
Office: Music Annex 005 | Phone: 732-932-9302 
Victor LewisJazz Drums As a child, Victor Lewis studied cello, piano and finally drums, doing his first home town gigs in Omaha, Nebraska at age 15. The youngster was encouraged by such as Buster Williams and Billy Hart to make the move to New York where in 1974 he began a quick ascension to prominence. Victor was the first-call drummer for masters like Joe Farrell, Dexter Gordon, and Hubert Laws and started long-time associations with Woody Shaw, Carla Bley, David Sanborn, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, and Stan Getz. One of the leading drummers of our time, Victor also has a second reputation as a dedicated composer and smart bandleader.
Office: Rehearsal 209 | Phone: 732-932-9302 
Mike RichmondJazz bass Mike Richmond, bassist and composer, was born in Philadelphia, PA. He studied at Temple University with Edward Arian (Philadelphia Orchestra) and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical performance/music education. After graduation he studied jazz technique and harmony with Jimmy Garrison. His book Modern Walking Bass Technique is internationally used as one of the leading texts on the art of jazz bass technique. An award-winning faculty member of New York University, he has also won Grammy Awards with Miles Davis and the Philadelphia Orchestra and has been featured on over 150 recordings (12 solo). Mike’s value as a teacher is enriched by his performing and recording associations with many jazz greats. He has been a featured soloist with the Bratislava Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cologne Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cologne Radio Big Band, and the Hamburg State Opera.
Office: Music Annex 111 | Phone: 732-932-9302 Jim Rotondi Jazz Trumpet Trumpeter Jim Rotondi attended North Texas State University, where he graduated with a degree in trumpet performance. While in Texas, Jim was awarded first place in the International Trumpet Guild's jazz trumpet competition for the year 1984. Following his college training, Jim began recording and touring internationally with the Ray Charles Orchestra. He subsequently commenced a six- year tenure with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. During this time Jim also became a member of organist Charles Earland's quintet. He currently tours with his own group, as well as with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Grammy-winner Toshiko Akiyoshi and the collective known as One For All, which features a front line of Eric Alexander and Steve Davis. Jim's extensive recording experience most recently includes the release of his fifth date as a leader, titled "Destination Up", for the Sharp Nine label following the successful release of four CDs on the Criss Cross Jazz label. He can also be heard on several of Charles Earland's Highnote Records releases, alongside saxophonist Eric Alexander, with whom Jim made his recording debut on Eric's Delmark release "Straight Up". Other recordings include saxophonist George Coleman's Octet, featuring Harold Mabern, as well as drummer Ray Appleton's Sextet, which features Slide Hampton, Charles McPherson, and John Hicks. Jim is also a member of the aforementioned One For All, whose Sharp Nine Records releases "Too Soon To Tell" and "Optimism" received critical acclaim from Cadence, JazzTimes, and The Detroit Free Press.
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