Rutgers IJS Presents Pianist Composer Educator Michael Cochrane

Michael Cochrane is a masterful jazz pianist whose five‑decade career has made him one of the most respected creative voices in the area.
Michael Cochrane

Pianist • Composer • Educator • Modern Jazz Craftsman

Michael Cochrane is a masterful jazz pianist whose five‑decade career has made him one of the most respected creative voices in the New York–New Jersey jazz community. Born in Peekskill, NY, Cochrane has recorded extensively as both a leader and sideman, contributing to major labels including SteepleChase, Soul Note, and Landmark Records. His artistry blends harmonic sophistication, lyrical sensitivity, and a deep commitment to the jazz tradition.

Cochrane has performed and recorded with an extraordinary roster of jazz greats, including Sonny Fortune, Jack Walrath, Eddie Gomez, Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, Chico Freeman, Oliver Lake, and the Spirit of Life Ensemble. His résumé spans iconic venues such as The Village Vanguard, Dizzy’s Club Coca‑Cola, The Blue Note, Carnegie Hall, and international tours across Europe, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico, Greece, Russia, the Philippines, and the Caribbean.

A dedicated educator, Cochrane holds a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from New York University and has taught at Rutgers University, Princeton University, the Bloomingdale School of Music, and the JCC Thurnauer School of MusicJazzInfo. He has also authored several books of piano instruction published by Second Floor Music and Hal Leonard.

With over ten albums as a leader and a lifetime of contributions to the music, Michael Cochrane continues to inspire audiences with performances that are thoughtful, swinging, and deeply expressive — a true modern jazz craftsman.



Presented by the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, this performance is part of their ongoing commitment to celebrating jazz heritage and supporting emerging voices in the genre.