Todd Coolman

Todd Coolman Francis (* July 14, 1954 in Gary ( Indiana)) is an American jazz musician (bass, cello ); Author and university professor.

Todd Coolman studied from 1972 to 1975 at the University of Indiana and then played in the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. In 1976 he went to Chicago, where he worked as a freelance musician. He came in 1978 to New York City, where he played with Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan (1979 /80), in the early 80s with Stan Getz, Al Haig, Lionel Hampton and Orchestra by Mel Lewis.

In 1984 he participated in Bobby Watson's Enja album Advance; 1985 began his long association with James Moody and 1986, he received his master's degree from Manhattan School of Music. From 1986 to 1989 he was a member of the wiedergegründetetn Jazztet Benny Golson and Art Farmer. 1988/89 he played in Terry Gibbs / Buddy DeFrancos band in the trio of pianist John Campbell and David Fathead Newman.

In the early 1990s he played in a trio of Hal Galper ( Invitation to a Concert), with Barney Kessel and Rob Schneiderman. During this time Coolman recorded his first solo album Lexicon. He was awarded the Grammy Award in the ' Best Album Notes category for the liner notes of the edition Miles Davis Quintet 1965-1968 1999.

Todd Coolman is a professor of music and director of jazz studies program at the Music Conservatory of Purchase College. At the New York University Coolman received his doctorate in 1997 on Miles Davis ( The Miles Davis Quintet of the mid-1960s: Synthesis of improvisational and compositional elements ). He lives in New Jersey.