Certainly was a life-changer for me. Glad to hear that the next generation of students are still holding it down, and that they still get to learn from you.
I Must say that your essays also are rewarding experiences. We thank you for this. God bless you and thank you for letting these kids "shadow " you for a bit.
As always Todd, I so enjoy reading your posts, but in addition to being as recognized as you are, you you continue to give back to students who are serious about learning Jazz from accomplished jazz musicians as well as from those who share academic their expertise. My humbled thanks to bot you and your colleagues ❤️🎶🎶🎶🎶🎂
I will remain forever grateful for my 3 summers I spent at The Skidmore Jazz Institute. My time there was literally, life changing on quite a few levels.
For example, hearing you play “Whims of Chambers” with the faculty group at the cafe gig in town…I had not known of that piece of music until then…that was influential to me to hear the bass play the melody. I love playing that tune these days! Thank you!
Staying with Milt and Mona in the faculty housing two out of those three summers, was an experience I’ll carry with me forever. Traveling with them to Milton’s house in Queens and staying for a week was quite a treat for a then, young bassist such as myself. I was in my early 30’s at the time.
Then there was our conversation one random day in your faculty living quarters. Just you, just me…discussing my future when I had been offered an opportunity to audition for the USAF Band. Your advice was direct, caring, and convinced me to take the opportunity. I did and it was a life changing chapter for Julie, Kylie and myself. I’m a veteran now and experience benefits to this day through the VA that I would not have if it weren’t for our conversation that day at the Skidmore Jazz Institute.
The GI Bill allowed me to go to North Texas and pursue my Jazz Studies degree. The hearing aids I currently wear as of 8 months ago, courtesy of the VA…an $8K value…free of charge because of my service.
There are many other experiences I could cite that came from my time at the Jazz Institute, but those are a few highlights.
I just turned 61 on 6/30/25. I play Jazz bass everyday. It’s my life. Thank you for being part of it and my development as a person and a musician!
Thank you, Kurt. One never knows the ultimate trajectory of another’s journey, but I have seen yours blossom. I am pleased to know that I may have been helpful to another person as they pursue their path. TC
Todd, your situation is ridiculously cool and well -earned. So many jazz musicians come to education as the sustaining gig. My lord, Milt Hinton? With whom has he NOT played? The young ones need mentors and they need to know that jazz is a form of immortality.
Certainly was a life-changer for me. Glad to hear that the next generation of students are still holding it down, and that they still get to learn from you.
Thanks Dylan. We are merely a link in the chain. It’s up to you and the others as to what you do with it. I think you wound up in a good place.
I Must say that your essays also are rewarding experiences. We thank you for this. God bless you and thank you for letting these kids "shadow " you for a bit.
As always Todd, I so enjoy reading your posts, but in addition to being as recognized as you are, you you continue to give back to students who are serious about learning Jazz from accomplished jazz musicians as well as from those who share academic their expertise. My humbled thanks to bot you and your colleagues ❤️🎶🎶🎶🎶🎂
Thanks, Larry. As an esteemed music educator yourself, you know what it is all about.
Thanks for your kind words Todd.🎶🎶🎶
Thank you for another wonderful Coolman blog story.
Check out 'The Judge' on the Tonight Show with Doc Severinsen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkwuH1AYlIQ
In addition to being an amazing bassist and jazz musician he was also a photographer.
Keeping Time:The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton
https://milthinton.com/legacy/
And finally check out Milt's wisdom on something we all can't escape Old Man Time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcM19bwQDR0
Thanks, Jim. I am familiar with your citations and I hope others follow the links. Milt was an extraordinary human being.
Hi Dr Coolman,
I will remain forever grateful for my 3 summers I spent at The Skidmore Jazz Institute. My time there was literally, life changing on quite a few levels.
For example, hearing you play “Whims of Chambers” with the faculty group at the cafe gig in town…I had not known of that piece of music until then…that was influential to me to hear the bass play the melody. I love playing that tune these days! Thank you!
Staying with Milt and Mona in the faculty housing two out of those three summers, was an experience I’ll carry with me forever. Traveling with them to Milton’s house in Queens and staying for a week was quite a treat for a then, young bassist such as myself. I was in my early 30’s at the time.
Then there was our conversation one random day in your faculty living quarters. Just you, just me…discussing my future when I had been offered an opportunity to audition for the USAF Band. Your advice was direct, caring, and convinced me to take the opportunity. I did and it was a life changing chapter for Julie, Kylie and myself. I’m a veteran now and experience benefits to this day through the VA that I would not have if it weren’t for our conversation that day at the Skidmore Jazz Institute.
The GI Bill allowed me to go to North Texas and pursue my Jazz Studies degree. The hearing aids I currently wear as of 8 months ago, courtesy of the VA…an $8K value…free of charge because of my service.
There are many other experiences I could cite that came from my time at the Jazz Institute, but those are a few highlights.
I just turned 61 on 6/30/25. I play Jazz bass everyday. It’s my life. Thank you for being part of it and my development as a person and a musician!
All the best,
Kurt
Thank you, Kurt. One never knows the ultimate trajectory of another’s journey, but I have seen yours blossom. I am pleased to know that I may have been helpful to another person as they pursue their path. TC
Todd, your situation is ridiculously cool and well -earned. So many jazz musicians come to education as the sustaining gig. My lord, Milt Hinton? With whom has he NOT played? The young ones need mentors and they need to know that jazz is a form of immortality.