Elé Salif Howell (BM`20)
Since graduating, Elé Salif Howell has built a dynamic international career, performing around the world with acclaimed artists including Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) and Ravi Coltrane. He appears on Chief Adjuah's 2023 release Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lighting, which was named by The New York Times as best jazz album of the year.
When not on tour, Elé leads his own projects, including his latest ensemble, VEN Trio — a collaboration with Brazilian guitarist Vinicius Gomes and bassist Noah Garabedian. Blending Brazilian music, jazz, and indie influences through original compositions, VEN Trio will make its West Coast debut in early 2025.
In addition to his work as a bandleader, Elé continues to tour and perform with Ravi Coltrane and Brandee Younger. A full schedule of upcoming performances is available at elehowell.com. Beyond the stage, Elé is passionate about music education and when time allows, offers private drum lessons.
Gui Duvignau (MM `20)
Gui Duvignau is a French-Brazilian bassist and composer based in Brooklyn, NY. His music has been featured on radios across the world, in playlists on Apple Music and Spotify, and in publications such as, The New York Times, JazzTimes, Jazziz, Jazz Magazine, Jazz News, All About Jazz, among others.
His latest albums 3,5,8, and Baden - a tribute to legendary Brazilian musician Baden Powell featuring special guests Ron Carter and Bill Frisell - were released on Sunnyside Records in 2021 and 2022 respectively. His album Live in Red Hook, featuring Jacob Sacks and Nathan Ellman-bell will be released in January 2024. He is the author of From the bottom Up published by Ron Carter Books (U.S.A - 2020) and by Editora Tipografia Musical (Brazil - 2023) as De Baixo Para Cima. He is also a dedicated teacher and has been a faculty member for the last three editions of the NYU Steinhardt Summer Jazz Improv & Composition Workshop.
Timo Vollbrecht (PhD `21)
Timo Vollbrecht is a New York-based saxophonist, composer, teacher, and scholar, originally from Germany. His music combines jazz with elements of post-rock, electro-acoustic soundscapes, and new music. With his band Fly Magic he has toured more than 30 countries and recorded numerous albums. He performs with established artists including Theo Bleckmann, Ben Monder, and Ralph Alessi as well as with a range of emerging musicians in an array of styles.
He has appeared on landmark stages like the Village Vanguard and Winter Jazz Fest. NYC Jazz Record describes Timo as a “luminously-fine” saxophonist whose music is “blessed with rhythmic fluidity and intricate twists.” At NYU Jazz Studies, Timo completed both his Master's and Ph.D. with a dissertation that investigates the artistic process of ECM producer Manfred Eicher in the recording studio.
After graduating, Timo went on to become the Director of Jazz Studies at Brown University where he leads the Brown Jazz Band and teaches a variety of classes. His interests lie at the intersection of disciplines, genre, and different creative outlets.
Vinicius Gomes (AD '20)
São Paulo born and New York based guitarist/composer, Vinicius Gomes explores the dialogue between modern jazz and Brazilian music, as registered on his debut album, Resiliência, Changes in collaboration with spanish saxophonist Santi De la Rubia and the most recent release "HOME" in duo with Korean singer Song Yi Jeon.
His career includes collaborations with Mexican singer/composer Magos Herrera, recording her latest album Aire, Grammy Award-winner drummer Edu Ribeiro’s trio, recording the album News, drummer Duduka da Fonseca, recording his latest album Quarteto Universal, pianist/composer Guillermo Klein, pianist/composer Jon Cowherd, saxophonist Seamus Blake, Cuban singer Melvis Santa Brazilian accordionist Toninho Ferragutti (recording two albums including the Brazilian Music award winner A Gata Café, Arthur Verocai (including his latest US tour) Zizi Possi (as a guitarist and musical director), orchestras, including São Paulo State Symphony (OSESP), Orlando Symphony and many others. Vinicius is a collaborator in more than 30 records by artists worldwide. Vinicius has a master’s degree from the University of São Paulo, Artist Diploma from New York University and was part of the Focus Year Program in Basel (Switzerland).
Ricardo Grilli (MM `14)
Ricardo Grilli, is a Brazilian guitarist with a master's degree in Jazz Studies. Since receiving his degree, he has released three albums: If On A Winter’s Night A Traveler, 1954 and 1962. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Jazziz, Jazz Life (Japan), Jazz Forum (Germany) and many more. Ricardo has headlined at clubs including The Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, The 55 Bar, Scullers, The Iridium, Mezzrow, The Rex (Toronto) and others. He’s performed and/or recorded with Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Aaron Parks, Joe Martin, Taylor Eigsti, Kevin Hays, Peter Bernstein and others. He feels very fortunate to work on music that he loves and looks forward to the next adventures, challenges and opportunities New York holds in store.
Mareike Wiening (MM `14)
Drummer and composer Mareike Wiening is based in Cologne, Germany after living in New York City for six years. In addition to her jazz projects in New York and Europe, she's been a jazz drum instructor at Zurich University of the Arts since 2022. Her quintet with Rich Perry, Glenn Zaleski, Alex Goodman, and Johannes Felscher received a nomination for Band of the Year at the 2022 German Jazz Awards.
Her third album as a band leader will be released on Dave Douglas's Greenleaf Music in 2023. JazzTimes enthuses, "Wiening has truly established a transatlantic jazz project. Each of her songs is a complete, sophisticated, and elegant piece of art."
A native German, Wiening received her bachelor of music degree from the University of Performing Arts Mannheim and the Rhythmic Conservatory of Music Copenhagen. She received her master of music degree from the University of Performing Arts Mannheim and NYU Steinhardt. Since 2022 she's been a lecturer for jazz drums at the University for Music and Art in Zurich, Switzerland.
Steven Feifke (BM `13)
Steven Feifke is a Grammy Award-winning bandleader, composer, and arranger and is one of the most in-demand jazz artists in the world today. He has been interviewed on FOX, NBC, and CBS, and was heralded a "masterful pianist" by JAZZIZ Magazine. DownBeat Magazine calls his music "an air of infectious joy."
He is a Yamaha Performing Artist, an Avid Sibelius Artist, and has appeared on over 40 albums to date. He has written music for TV shows like The Masked Singer, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Impractical Jokers, Animaniacs, as well as for many world class big bands and orchestras around the globe.
Berklee College Of Music hired him as a professor of Harmony and Jazz Composition, and he has also been invited to give guest lectures and Artist in Residencies at institutions such as Yale University, Jazz At Lincoln Center, New York University, UT Austin, Northern Illinois University, and more.
Marta Sanchez (MM `12)
Steinhardt graduate, Marta Sanchez has recorded and released four records with her quintet: 'Partenika' (2015), 'Danza Imposible' (2017), 'El Rayo de Luz' (2019), and 'SAAM' (Spanish American Art Museum) (2022). 'Partenika' and 'El Rayo de Luz,' were selected by The New York Times as among the best 10 records of the year.
Her music has been featured in diverse media including Downbeat, The Wall Street Journal, and NPR, Fresh Air. Additionally, her quintet has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in New York, including Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Blue Note, Smoke, Roulette, Smalls, and Mezzrow. Sanchez and her band have been touring in Europe and performing at events such as the Winter Jazz Festival, Vitoria Gasteiz Jazz Festival, and Madrid Jazz Festival.
She played at The Village Vanguard as a member of the David Murray Quartet and has shared the stage with some of her teachers at NYU, including Ralph Alessi, Chris Potter, Brad Shepik, and Rich Perry.
Elsa Nilsson (MM `12)
Since graduating, Elsa Nilsson has released six albums as a bandleader and three as a co-leader and collaborator. These have received acclaim in publications including Downbeat, Jazziz and All About Jazz, where she was lauded as "the logical next step for her instrument in improvised music" by Paul Rauch.
In 2018, she released a book about rhythm titled “Between The Beats” that has been shared as a masterclass at universities in the US and Europe. Nilsson teaches Rhythmic Analysis and Socially Engaged Artistry at The New School for Performing Arts as an Adjunct Professor.
She is a recipient of the 2022 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant for her piece “Pulses,” exploring the relationship between jazz and language through the voice of Dr Maya Angelou, premiereing at National Sawdust October 6, 2023. She is the winner of the 2018 NFA Jazz Flute Competition.
Raymond Mason (BM ‘12)
Since graduating from NYU’s Jazz Studies (BM ’12) program, Raymond Mason has built a wide-ranging career as a trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and bandleader. Raymond has shared the stage with artists across generations and genres, from Dr. John at Carnegie Hall to Taylor Swift at the Hollywood Bowl, The Roots on The Tonight Show, and Tyler Childers at Radio City Music Hall, while touring internationally with Lauren Daigle as well as Elvis Costello, GRiZ, and Antibalas, to name a few.
A Yamaha Performing Artist, Raymond has performed at the Grammy Awards, the Oscars with musical guest and as a member of the orchestra, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and on Saturday Night Live with musical guests as well as in the house band. Mason’s recording credits include playing on Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” as well as hundreds of popular releases in a multitude of genres with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Norah Jones, Mac Miller, Lizzo, Macklemore, Little Big Town, The Black Keys, and more. Alongside his sideman work, he leads projects such as the Wild Iris Brass Band with Jeff Coffin and a new improvisatory quartet called Flavourette.
Mason credits NYU with helping him construct a tool box necessary to thrive across genres and ecosystems. The program’s focus on ensemble playing in various styles, early access to recording in a state of the art studio, peer collaboration in non conventional spaces, and meaningful faculty mentorship helped him develop extensive adaptability in his craft as well as a distinct artistic voice.
Darius Christian (MM ‘12)
Baltimore-raised and now Denver-based, Darius Christian is a GRAMMY-winning artist, producer, and genre-bending creative force. A dynamic trombonist and brass innovator with rich vocals, spoken word, and an unstoppable energy, Darius has become one of the most in-demand collaborators in modern music.
He earned a GRAMMY for his participation on the celebrated Bird Songs compilation album, adding to a growing list of high-profile credits. He has performed and recorded with a wide range of iconic artists including Mumford & Sons, Noah Kahan, Maggie Rogers, Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker, and Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show)—as well as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Miley Cyrus, Gwen Stefani, the Jonas Brothers, Solange, Andrea Bocelli, Rihanna, DNCE, Bastille, Ricky Martin, Macy Gray, and Andy Grammer.
Darius’s collaborations extend beyond the mainstream, including the evocative “Bones Lament” with fellow trombonist Reginald Chapman. His live presence has lit up stages from Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America to America’s Got Talent, the CMT Music Awards, and beyond. His creative fingerprint extends far past the stage: his compositions have been featured in scores for Vice, and his artistry has appeared in global campaigns for Nike, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, MasterCard, and Cadillac.
A graduate of the NYU Jazz Master’s Program, Darius brings an academic depth to his artistry, blending high-level musicianship with a genre-bending creative vision. Beyond music, he is also a Certified Professional Pickleball athlete, embodying the same discipline, flow, and competitive excellence on the court that he brings to the stage.
A true modern renaissance artist, Darius bridges worlds of music, sport, media, and culture—but always circles back to the heart of his craft: creating music that moves people to dance, love, laugh, and transcend hate.
My years at NYU were pivotal for mastering my craft alongside peers who would also continue to burst into the music scene. NYU allowed me to foster genuine and lasting long-time friendships, collaboration, and kinship with classmates. A rarity in common everyday life, the roster of educators shaped my thinking and propelled me into a success-driven mindset.
Joe Alterman (MM ‘12)
These days, I wear a few hats — and I love that they all revolve around sharing the joy of music. I lead the Joe Alterman Trio and tour internationally, performing everywhere from Birdland in New York to festivals and clubs across the U.S. and abroad. I recently launched a weekly radio show called The Upside of Jazz on WABE, Atlanta’s NPR station, where I share music and stories that show how jazz can enrich everyday life. I also love writing about the music, with work published in JazzTimes, Moment Magazine, the Village Voice, and more. Closer to home, I serve as Executive Director of Neranenah, a Jewish cultural arts organization in Atlanta that celebrates the intersections of music, history, and community.
I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with and learn from some of my heroes — people like Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, Ahmad Jamal and Houston Person. Those relationships have shaped me musically and personally — and nearly all of them trace back, directly or indirectly, to my time at New York University. I met Houston during an NYU masterclass, and my internship at Blue Note (which I first got thanks to NYU) opened the door to performance opportunities there, where I eventually met, opened for, and bonded with both Les and Ramsey.
A few career moments that mean a lot to me include releasing multiple albums (like Brisket for Breakfast with Houston Person and Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann: Big Mo & Little Joe), writing liner notes for three Wynton Marsalis albums, and being profiled three times by the legendary Nat Hentoff — whose final piece about music, I’m honored to say, was about me. Honestly, though, some of the biggest highlights have been quieter ones: the deep friendships I’ve built with the legends who once felt larger than life to me.
The program gave me so much more than just musical training — though it certainly prepared me for the world of music beyond school. It also helped me figure out who I wanted to be, both as a musician and as a person. Studying with Don Friedman was transformative. At that point in my life — an 18-year-old college freshman — I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue music full-time. But I remember thinking, “If making music my life’s pursuit can make me feel like that when I’m older, that’s what I want to do.” Just by being who he was, Don showed me that true success is internal. I’ve never met anyone who seemed as content as he did, and that lesson has stayed with me ever since.
Michael Fatum (BM`12)
Michael Fatum credits his diverse music career directly to his NYU experience. Upon graduation, Michael was already actively touring his own jazz projects as well as with NYU classmates & close friends The Bailen Brothers, EMEFE and The Rad Trads. Inspired by his life-changing semester abroad at NYU Florence, Michael led efforts to bring his NYU cohorts in The Rad Trads back to Europe on tour, which led to extensive touring across Europe, North America and Asia from 2013-2023.
With one course of NYU's Music Business 101, and the networking opportunities that only New York City offers, Michael was able to simultaneously begin a career as a music agent. His company ArcArtists (which celebrates 10 years in 2026), has represented 45+ artists including Grammy winners, booking over 3,000 shows worldwide. Michael currently tours with Magic City Hippies (alongside NYU classmate Jake Pinto) 3 months a year. When not on the road, you can find Michael in Portland, Oregon with his wife Jenny (who he met at NYU Florence), their 1.5 year old Archie and dog Addie.
Marike van Dijk (MM ‘12)
After graduating from NYU, I recorded an album with a large chamber ensemble project that I developed during my studies. I released that album and secured funding for the next one, 2 years later with the same ensemble + 2 singer-songwriters.
I taught saxophone, ensemble and composition at a few universities, but I wanted to continue studies. The ensemble projects were the basis of my phd studies in composition that I started another 2 years later, in Australia (2019).
I have since finished my doctorate (2024), was commissioned by the North Sea jazz festival in 2022 (for their annual festival commission), started a big band and since February 1 of this year, I became the head of master’s degree at the conservatoire in Groningen (NL). My big band, NU art orchestra is releasing its first album on October 3rd, 2025
NYU helped me to experiment and take the steps I needed to take to grow into becoming a composer. The community at NYU was always golden, and made me aware of how important and powerful a good community is in musicians’ lives.
Marike van Dijk website.
Julian Pollack (MM ’11)
Julian “J3PO” Pollack is a Los Angeles–based pianist/keyboardist originally from the Bay Area. A graduate of NYU's Steinhardt Jazz Program (earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees), he studied under masters such as Kenny Werner, Gil Goldstein, John Scofield, Tony Moreno, and Dave Pietro, building a foundation that launched him onto the international stage. Currently touring with Terence Blanchard’s E-Collective, Julian has also toured extensively with Marcus Miller and Chris Botti, and has performed with Herbie Hancock, Talib Kweli, members of Snarky Puppy including Bob Reynolds and Jay Jennings, and vocalists Benny Benack, Veronica Swift, and Tierney Sutton.
Julian is also recognized for his pioneering work in sound design. He has collaborated closely with Sequential, Oberheim, and Nord, contributing factory presets to their instruments, and his website is a hub for new preset packs for keyboards and VSTs. He is currently working closely with Spectrasonics, the makers of Keyscape and Omnisphere.
Known to many as “J3PO,” his electronic project has become a defining part of his artistry, blending acoustic jazz tradition with futuristic sound design. His latest album, Soul & Circuitry, embodies this fusion and has garnered widespread attention, with the San Francisco Chronicle calling him “a ferociously assured and creatively dazzling pianist, composer and arranger,” and Time Out New York praising him as “a pianist who deftly balances virtuosity with tenderness.”
Glenn Zaleski (MM `10)
Glenn Zaleski is one of the most in-demand pianists on the New York City jazz scene. Originally from Boylston, MA, Glenn has made a name for himself playing with the likes of Ravi Coltrane, Cécile McLorin Salvant, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Yotam Silberstein, Ken Peplowski, Lage Lund, Ari Hoenig, and many more. He has released nine albums as a leader/co-leader. His latest album is Solo Vol. 2, a solo album of standards recorded during the pandemic, and the second from his own label Stark Terrace Music. His previous release, The Question, from July 2020, was released on Sunnyside Records, and features his quintet. From this album, his original “BK Bossa Nova” has nearly two million plays on Apple Music. "Live at Jazz Standard" (Capri 2019), features his long-standing co-led trio, Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato, in a live set performed at the legendary NYC club. In 2017, he released his second album for Sunnyside Records, Fellowship, prompting All About Jazz to note, "Glenn Zaleski has quickly become one of the most important pianists of his generation and it's easy to see why.”
Alumni in the News
Benjamín Schnake is a musician, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator. A versatile musician based in NYC over the past 6 years and NYU Jazz Studies alumni (MM `19), Schnake will be performing as a guest artist for Michael Bard debut concert at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall on Sat., Nov 4, 2023 at 8 PM, in honor of Veterans Day. The performance includes works of Bach, Granados, Tárrega, Spanish and Italian masters, and the world premiere of Bard’s original composition, “Mediterranean Beauty,” accompanied by Schnake in guitar, as well as featuring Schnake performing charango in the piece “Subida” by Ernesto Cavour. Other guests include Army veteran Jesus Hernandez, tenor, and Aurora Dainer, soprano, joining Bard in Italian opera, and Brazilian and Spanish vocal selections. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Veterans Repertory Theater Company of New York, a nonprofit that brings talented veterans and world-class playwrights, directors, choreographers and performers together to create compelling live theater.