CV

MASTER OF MUSIC, May 1995 (Jazz Studies)

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Studies with Kenny Barron, Ralph Bowen, Joanne Brackeen & Michael Phillip Mossman.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC, June 1992 (Major in Jazz Performance, Distinction in Jazz Piano)

McGILL UNIVERSITY, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Studies with Luc Beaugrand, Jon Ballantyne, Kevin Dean, Fred Henke & André White.

· BMI Jazz Composers’ Workshop, New York City (2013-14, 2006-07, 2003–04)

· jazz improvisation lessons with Charlie Banacos (2006)

· conducting courses with Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw at the University of Connecticut (2001–02)

· big band arranging lessons with Michael Abene, Paterson, NY (2001–02, 1999)

· piano lessons with Fred Hersch (monthly), New York City (2001–02)

· composition lessons with Michael Philip Mossman & Maria Schneider, NYC (1999)
· piano lessons with Kenny Werner (1998)

09/2000 – present:

Department of Music, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

· tenure and promotion to Associate Professor granted in 2005.
· promoted to full Professor in 2016.

08/98 – 06/2000:

Maynard Ferguson Music USA, Inc.

08/97 – 05/98:

Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio

09/96 – 05/97:

SABBATICAL REPLACEMENT (full-time)

St. Françis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia

08/92 – present:

FREELANCE MUSICIAN

· GMA Canada “Covenant Award” for Jazz Artist of the Year, 2022

· Artistic Excellence Award, Office of the Arts, Department of Economic and Community Development, 2020

· Research Excellence Program, University of Connecticut, AY 2019-20

· Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts Research Experience (SHARE) award, 2020

· Jazz Producer of the Year, Independent Music Awards, 2019

· UCONN School of Fine Arts Research Grant, 2019, 2017

· University of Connecticut Scholarship Facilitation Fund, 2016

· JUNO award nomination for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year, 2014

· UConn School of Fine Arts Outstanding Faculty Award, 2013

· JUNO award nomination, for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year, 2011
· Winner, jazz song category, 10th Annual Independent Music Awards, 2011
· Winner, “Best Jazz Group”, Hartford Advocate readers’ poll, 2011
· UConn School of Fine Arts Special Achievement Award, 2011

· Finalist, ArtEZ Jazz Composition Contest, the Netherlands, 2011 & 2008

· Artist Fellowship, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, 2009

· UConn Research Foundation Large Grant, 2008

· Finalist, Charlie Parker/BMI Jazz Composition Award, 2007

· AAUP Excellence Award for Teaching Innovation, 2006

· “Best Jazz Group,” Hartford Advocate’s Reader’s Poll (the Earl MacDonald 6), 2004

· New Scholar Award, School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut, 2004

· Artist Fellowship, Connecticut Commission on the Arts, 2003

· AAUP Excellence Award for Teaching Promise, 2003

· Sammy Nestico Award, for big band arranging, sponsored by the USAF, 2003
· Grammy-nomination, for “Wanton Spirit,” the title track of Kenny Barron’s 1994 Verve Records CD, composed by Earl MacDonald, 1996.

– American Federation of Musicians, Local 190
– CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences)
– CMA (Chamber Music America)
– College Music Society
– Connecticut Music Educators Association
– Hartford Jazz Society
– ISJAC (the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers)
– Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary member)
– Music Educators National Conference: the National Association for Music Education
– Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society
– SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)

Jerry Bergonzi, Ralph Bowen, Don Braden, John Clark, Larry Coryell, Kevin Dean, Denis DiBlasio, Wayne Escoffery, Charles Fambrough, Joel Frahm, Hugh Fraser, Brad Goode, Jerri Granelli, Winard Harper, Tom Harrell, Andre Hayward, Jeffrey Holmes, Steve Houghton, Ingrid Jensen, Tony Kadleck, Kirk MacDonald, Joe Magnarelli, Michael Philip Mossman, Dick Oatts, Jeremy Pelt, P.J. Perry, Tim Ries, Avery Sharpe, Dianne Schuur, Marvin Stamm, Tom Varner, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Woods, and Dave Young.