Ostransky, Leroy

Leroy Ostransky (1918-1993) was an American composer, music theorist and teacher whose work enriched the field of jazz and modern classical music. Born in New York City, he began his musical career as a pianist in a jazz club. He studied at Iowa State University, where he graduated with a doctorate in musicology and was one of the first to bring jazz into academia. His compositions stand out for their original harmonic structures and blending of different musical styles. In addition to composing, he also wrote scholarly publications that contributed to a deeper understanding of music theory and history. Ostransky served on the faculty of the University of Washington in Tacoma, where he inspired a generation of musicians and educators. He was named one of America's twelve greatest teachers by People magazine in 1975.