Joseph Riposo
Director, Morton B. Schiff Jazz Ensemble
Director of Jazz Studies

Joe Riposo, the former Director of Music Education for the Liverpool Central School District (31yrs) served as past president of the International Association of Jazz Educators (N.Y.S. Unit) and as the North Eastern Division Coordinator for the International Association of Jazz Educators. Joe was the first to serve in the position of Jazz Director for CRC'S youth jazz programs. He created two programs, Jazz Education Day and the Jazz Festival.

Riposo has served as Jazz Coordinator and Clinician for the New York State School of Music Association. He is the recipient of the presidential medallion for his leadership and contributions to the New York State School Music Association. Riposo holds the New York State School Music Association certification as a Woodwind Adjudicator and as a State Jazz Adjudicator.

Riposo is also active as a performer, having worked in house bands for many nationally known artists such as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr. Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and the Mcguire Sisters, and many others. Played a special performance with the Woody Herman Band on tour with Jackie Leonard and Tony Bennett. He has also performed in bands for Diane Schuur, Harry Connick Jr., and Natalie Cole shows. Riposo also has performed conducting jazz ensembles with many renowned guest soloists including Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Marvin Stamm, Glenn Drewes, Darius Brubeck, Nick Brignola, Bob Kindred, etc.

Riposo appears frequently as clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and soloist in many jazz festivals throughout the U.S. He is a composer of several published compositions and is the author of the book, Jazz Improvisation "The Whole-Brain Approach" Most recent the LMI Recorder Method (1999) and a recorder book published by American Music Publications (2002)

Riposo received the Outstanding Jazz Educators Award from the National Band Association for effective leadership in instrumental music education by developing successful concert and jazz bands in America's schools. For the past seven years, he is the recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Award, which is distributed by the Popular Awards Panel. Riposo has been elected to serve on the National Music Foundation (Educational Advisory council) 1997-2000. On November 21, 1997, Riposo was inducted in the (SAMMYS) Music Hall of Fame. Riposo has also been inducted in the Fine Arts Hall of Fame Jun 8, 2003