Northeastern State University Jazz Lab

Dr. Tommy Poole

Tommy Poole is the recently-appointed Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He is an active saxophonist and woodwind doubler in a variety of genres. He has performed and/or recorded with such luminaries as Rosemary Clooney, Jack Jones, Eartha Kitt, Anthony Newley, Marilyn McCoo, Red Buttons, Maynard Ferguson, The Woody Herman Orchestra under the direction of Frank Tiberi, Vikki Carr, Diane Schuur, Maureen McGovern, Nell Carter, Boots Randolph, Joe Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Dianne Reeves. Poole can be heard playing saxophones on Spoon's critically acclaimed CD entitled, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007).

Poole has composed and arranged works for a variety of settings from commercial showbands, to jazz big bands, to full-sized studio orchestras. His orchestrations have been featured on at least five commercially available CD's.

As an educator, Poole is presently developing a textbook entitled, Metric Modulations in Contemporary Jazz Improvisation: an analysis of how current jazz artists are using metric modulations in their improvisations and a pedagogical method of implementation. Poole is a member of The Jazz Education Network and College Music Society.

He received his BM and DMA from The University of Texas at Austin and his MM from The University of Miami.

Sarah Bruguiere

Sarah Bruguiere joined Northeastern State University as the new Jazz Lab Manager in the Summer of 2009.

A recent graduate with a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University, Bruguiere focused mainly on the recording and production aspects of music. While studying at JMU, she co-founded a student based production company that booked and promoted a variety of events including fashion shows, concerts, and fundraisers, which all proceeds were donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation.

In her most recent internship with Red Light Management, Bruguiere worked with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as reviewed legal documents, worked with digital merchandising, and radio promotion.

Bruguiere also completed two internships in recording studios where she assisted the sound engineer and helped coordinate recording sessions.

In addition, Bruguiere has studied piano through college, and has collaborated with many students for recitals and various performances. Her professors include Margaret Huffstedler, Linda Heuer, and Dr. Eric Ruple.