معرفی
Dr. Susumu Watanabe is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Whitman College, serving as Wind Area Director and conductor for the Whitman College Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble II. He holds degrees from Berklee College of Music (BM), Queens College (MFA), and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (DMA).
- Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Composition
- Master of Fine Arts in Composition
- Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition
With expertise in jazz composition, wind ensemble conducting, and orchestral arrangement, Watanabe's works span symphonic jazz, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and contemporary classical adaptations. His compositions have been premiered by military bands and performed internationally across three continents.
Notable achievements include:
- Jazz Road Creative Residency Grant (2024)
- All-Japan National Symphonic Jazz and Pops Contest First Prize (2019)
His research trends show fusion of jazz elements with classical orchestration, featuring commissions for major ensembles like the Ozark Jazz Philharmonic and collaborations with artists such as Jake Hertzog.
Dr. Watanabe previously taught at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Concordia University, and University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, while maintaining active roles as music director for multiple ensembles including Fenway Brass Art Orchestra and Tokyo Brass Art Orchestra.
