Jay Bregman
I have taught the History of Jazz since 1985. My position at UM was Professor of History, from 1975-2015. My field of specialization is Late Antiquity, Hellenic Neoplatonism, Religious Syncretism and their later influences on nIneteenth and twentieth century America. I remain professionally active, writing books, publishing articles, and presenting papers at international conferences. In June 2018 I was invited to the University of Oxford, UK, to present a seminar paper on Pagan and Christian religious conflict in the early 5th Century. CE at Alexandria in Egypt.
My Music background includes two semesters at the Manhattan School of Music. Private study of Jazz with Lennie Tristano, John La Porta, Don Stratton; and in the 1989 Jazz in July program at UMASS, Amherst, in the Master Class of Yusef Lateef. (I received the Most Improved Player award in the program). I have played locally with the group of Don Stratton, as well as directing and playing with UM student combos, when Don was on the faculty. Recently I have played with and continue to play with my own group, “Swingmatism”. The group includes local musicians, such as UM Jazz Program Director, Dan Barrett on Trombone.
My publications on Jazz include: “Charlie Parker and the American Soundscape” (1997); “Lennie Tristano” (1990). I am currently working on a HIstorical/Musicological article with co-author Dan Barrett, “Charlie Parker’s Tenor and the BIrth of Bop”.
Part Time Professor, UM Jazz Program, Music Division,School of Performing Arts
Emeritus Professor of History and Religious Studies
Co-founder of UM Religious Studies Interdisciplinary Program
Co-founder of the Platonism, Neoplatonism Group, American Academy of Religion
Lifetime member of the American Academy of Religion
Member of the Board of Directors, International Society for Neoplatonic Studies
