Christopher Connolly

Christopher Connolly is a Lecturer in the Music Department within the Humanities division at Coastal Carolina University. He maintains regular office hours for student consultation and can be reached at 843-349-6479.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Trombone Performance from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with John Marcellus and Raymond Premru
• Master's Degree in jazz composition and arranging from William Paterson University, where he studied with Jim McNeely, Pete McGuinness and Cecil Bridgewater

Connolly's professional expertise spans jazz performance, composition, and arranging, with particular specialization in trombone. His teaching integrates substantial professional experience with academic instruction, creating a practical learning environment for music students.

As a performer, Connolly has worked with the Long Bay Symphony (Myrtle Beach, SC), the Penfield Symphony (Penfield, NY), and notable artists including Vic Damone, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under Buddy Morrow's direction. He has released an independently produced jazz album titled 'Since Last We Met.'

His arranging work demonstrates versatility across musical genres, having created arrangements for:

• Jazz guitarist and former NY Yankee Bernie Williams
• Saxophonist Steve Wilson
• Pianist Mulgrew Miller
• Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers
• Bill Pinkney of the Original Drifters
• The Long Bay Symphony