Thomas Manuel

Thomas Manuel is an Endowed Artist in Residence Fellow at Stony Brook University, where he directs the Loft School of Jazz and co-chairs the Strategic Planning Committee. He holds a DMA in Jazz Performance from Stony Brook and previously studied at Boston University under mentors Warren Vache and Ray Anderson.

• Founder, curator, and artistic director of The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, NY (opened 2016)
• Active member of the Long Island Arts Education Coalition and Huntington Arts Council Decentralization Advisory Committee
• Former trustee of the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation (2018-2023)

Research and Educational Focus: Manuel specializes in Jazz history preservation, trumpet performance, and global music education outreach. He established a music program for underprivileged students in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and developed a music program at Greater Vision Christian School in Liberia.

Recent Projects: Directed educational initiatives in Havana, Cuba; co-created Oliver Nelson’s Kennedy Dream with world premier compositions; produced a documentary on Frank Sinatra’s life and career.

Scientific Awards:
• Stony Brook 40 Under 40 Award
• Multiple Suffolk County Proclamations
• East End Arts & Humanities Council 2020 Music Masters residency
• 2019 Applied Improvisation Network International Conference artist presenter
• 2016 Times Beacon Record Person of the Year in Brookhaven

Additional Contributions: Featured in The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Newsday, and other media. Collaborated with top Jazz artists and filmmakers on educational and artistic projects.