Instrument/Department: Summer Jazz Director/Drum Set
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2013
Aaron Staebell hails from Buffalo, NY and has lived in Rochester, NY since 2001. Having earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Staebell is an in-demand performer, clinician, and composer both locally and nationwide.
Staebell is active as both a drummer and percussionist. He has played with Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Tony Malaby, Rick Braun, and Wycliffe Gordon, and is a member of the Brownman Electryc Trio (Toronto, CA). He also spent time as the drummer for the hip-hop syndicate “Gruvasylum” featuring Mad Dukez and for jazz vocalist Madeline Forster.
Staebell composes all of the music for Bending and Breaking, his quintet of improvisers. His debut album was released in June 2011 and was met with outstanding reviews. His playing can be heard on two other releases: an album by trumpeter Dave Chisholm called “Instrumental” and Ben Thomas’s “Endless Mountain Regions,” featuring free jazz legend Tony Malaby.
Since 2008, he has been the Composer-in-Residence for the West Shore Central Schools (Harrisburg, PA) “Day of Percussion” and previously held that title at Fairport High School (Rochester, NY). His self-published book, Alternative Solos for Snare Drum, makes use of contemporary techniques, notation, and sounds within the snare drum solo repertoire.
He is also active as an educator and lecturer around the region and the country. He has been on staff for the WGI “A class” finalist Hilton Indoor Percussion, and previously held the teaching assistant position at Eastman for the Jazz Drumset studio.
More About Aaron Staebell
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
What inspires me: Imagining the end of a project inspires me to work towards that end
Why the arts matter: Everyone has something to say, and for so many, the arts are a way for that voice to be heard
Favorite things to do in Rochester area: Hang in our back yard, attend sporting events, walk at Mendon Ponds park
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: at Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, playing with my kids
My favorite local restaurant: Good Luck
Favorite place(s) to travel: Our family camp in the Adirondacks
Favorite show: I love almost any show that HBO makes
What people would be surprised to know about me: I am very introverted, and though I love to perform, I need a lot of ‘re-charge’ time before and afterwards