Joanne Brackeen

Professor

Affiliated Departments

Piano

jbrackeen@berklee.edu

617-747-8345

For media inquiries, please contact Media Relations

Courses Taught (2)

Private Instruction - Piano: All Levels

PIPN-XXX

Recital Preparation: Piano - All Levels

RPPN-XXX

Career Highlights

Leader on 25 albums, which include over 100 original compositions
Performances worldwide with artists including Art Blakey, Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, and Pharoah Sanders
Solo performing artist and leader of own trio and quartet: Joanne Brackeen Quartet Dizzys (Lincoln Center, New York City); San Francisco Jazz, solo concert; Joanne Brackeen Trio, Monterey Jazz Festival; and Joanne Brackeen Quartet (Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.)
Annual national and international concerts and tours including at the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center, Avery Fisher Hall, and others
Numerous commissions for compositions
Author of Joanne Brackeen Master of Jazz Series, Volume 1 (JPMC Books)
Arkadia recording artist
New Arkadia solo piano release, Popsicle Illusion, on the Gavin charts
Original compositions arranged for big band and performed at Youngstown University in Ohio and Duke University in North Carolina
Weekly television show in New York on Manhattan Cable TV called Joanne Brackeen Presents
Upcoming CD releases: Joanne Brackeen Quartet Live at the Jazz Standard featuring Ravi Coltrane, and Pepe's Favorite Cartoon (Joanne Brackeen with special guests including Paquito D'Riviera)
First CD for Arkadia, Pink Elephant Magic, nominated for a Grammy in 2000

Awards

Winner of the 2018 Jazz Master Award
Recipient of the BNY Mellon Jazz 2014 Living Legacy Award
Recipient of the Berklee Distinguished Professor Award
Recipient of the International Women in Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award

In Their Own Words

"I want my students to achieve their musical goals and aspirations, and enjoy themselves in the process."

"I began my career by working with jazz masters (Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, and Freddy Hubbard). I then formed my own bands and have performed worldwide in 46 countries."

"I always ask my students who their favorite piano players are and what their goals are. The school has goals for them, too, but almost everyone has some personal goals. Use the visualization of what's inside you, and let that bloom. That provides everything. When you play the music, you're playing the life you live. When you're living, just emphasize all the things you really want to be or enjoy being. Life expands every day. If you let it, music does the same thing."

"I love all musical settings equally, whether it is solo, trio, quartet, etc. If I play too much of one combination, I start wanting to do another. I like the intricacy and intimacy of a small group more than a big band because there is more room for spontaneous creativity. Right now, that's my preference, but who knows? It might change."

"What's fun about teaching at Berklee is that the curriculum is very organized and there is a new wave of students coming through who are at a high level in at least one area of their playing. You just have to fill in a little of this and that. I feel really open as a teacher. Some students know certain things, but they don't know how they know them."