Neal Kirkwood is a composer, pianist, arranger and bandleader living in New York City. Since moving to New York in 1981 he has been active as a performer and composer in the worlds of jazz, classical, and theater. Kirkwood composes music for wide range of instrumental and vocal ensembles. He has written over 200 works for his jazz ensembles, including the Neal Kirkwood Big Band, the Chromatic Persuaders, and the Neal Kirkwood Octet. His output also includes compositions for chamber ensembles, orchestra, solo voice, and chorus. Mr. Kirkwood has received numerous commissions, including a 2007 New York State Music Fund commission for “Village Songs,” and a 2000 New York State Council for the Arts commission for “The Future of Futurism,” a five movement work for jazz orchestra. Other commissions include “Voices” for children’s chorus (2008) for the Children’s Aid Society chorus, “The Mirrored Self” and “The Enchanted Realm” for the Belgian ensemble Octurn. His composition for jazz orchestra “Goldberg’s Variations” was winner of the Jazz Composer’s Alliance Competition in 1996. His "Five Choruses from Mexico City Blues" for jazz chorus and big band was premiered in April 2012 at Kutztown University. In addition to his activities as a bandleader and composer, Kirkwood has performed and recorded with Pony Poindexter, Bobby Previte, Lindsey Horner, Phillip Johnston, Mike Clark, and has toured with vocalists Michel Hermon, Chris Connor, Abby Lincoln and Bobby McFerrin. He holds a master’s degree in composition from Mannes College of Music, where he studied with Charles Jones. He was a charter member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, where he studied with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Album. He is currently on the faculties of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and Third Street Music School in New York City.