Legendary bassist, Professor, Executive director of Montclair Academy of Dance and Laboratory of Music.

Reginald "Reggie" Workman is an American avant-garde jazz and hard bop double bassist, recognized for his work with John Coltrane, Art Blakey and many others.

He was a member of jazz groups led by Gigi Gryce, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter and Red Garland. In 1961, Workman joined the John Coltrane Quartet, replacing Steve Davis. He was present for the saxophonist's legendary Live at the Village Vanguard sessions, and also recorded with bassist Art Davis on the 1961 album, Ole Coltrane. After a European tour, Workman left Coltrane's group at the end of the year. Workman starred with James Moody, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Mann, Thelonious Monk, Freddie Hubbard, Alice Coltrane, Abbey Lincoln, Mal Waldron, David Murray, Abdullah Ibrahim, Trio Three with Oliver Lake and Andrew Cyrille, and many others. His discography with the artists above is endless. The highlight as a composer and a bassist was with his: The Reggie Workman Ensemble, with: John Purcell (sax), Gerry Hemingway (drums), Jeanne Lee (vocals), Marilyn Crispell (piano); in that period he recorded: Cerebral; Caverns, Summit Conference, Images. Synthesis and Altered Spaces.

In 1998 he joined forces with Maya Milenovic Workman, and started the Montclair Academy of Dance and Laboratory of Music. Together they founded the concept: “Where do music, movement, visual arts and literature come together?” At the Montclair Community Pre-K, they established their famous related arts concept: “8 Steps To Creativity”. In Europe they continue working with Jazz Music Dance Video summer programs.

Reggie is a tenured professor at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, and lives and works between United States and Europe. He Works with Trio Three (Oliver Lake, Andrew Cyrille / guests: Geri Allen, Irene Schweizer), Statements (Workman, Hemingway, Ikawa, Bezget, Krecic), and with Ms. Francina Connors and their famous Sculptured Sounds Festival in NYC.

Reggie has 3 kids: Nioka (cello, vocal), Rashid Olu (business) and Ayana (acting, dance).

YouTube Reggie Workman Videos