# Stefon Harris is heralded as “one of the most important young artists in jazz”: Video

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2018/03/23/stefon-harris-is-heralded-as-one-of-the-most-important-young-artists-in-jazz-video/
- Published: 2018-03-23T00:04:00+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**23.03. – Happy Birthday !!! Vibraphonist-composer Stefon Harris is heralded as“
one of the most important young artists in jazz” (The Los Angeles Times). He is 
unquestionably developing what will be a long and extraordinary career.**

Stefon Harris’ passionate artistry, energetic stage presence, and astonishing virtuosity
have propelled him into the forefront of the current jazz scene. widely recognized
and lauded by both his peers and jazz critics alike, the 30 year-old is committed
to both exploring the rich potential of jazz composition and blazing new trails 
on the vibraphone.

A graduate of The Manhattan School of Music, he received a B.A. in Classical Music
and an M.A. in jazz performance. Stefon is a recipient of the prestigious Martin
E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center and has earned back to back to back Grammy nominations
for Best Jazz Album including The Grand Unification Theory (2003), the 2001 release
of Kindred (Blue Note) and his 1999 release of Black Action Figure (Blue Note) for
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. North Sea Jazz (Netherlands) named Harris for the prestigious
International 2002 Bird Award for Artist Deserving Wider Recognition. He has been
voted Best Mallet player by the Jazz Journalist Association (2003, 2002, 2001 and
2000), Debut Artist of the Year by Jazztimes, Downbeat’s Critics Poll Winner for
Vibraphone and Rising Star, Vibraphone (2003) Newsweek’s Best Jazz CD, Best New 
Talent and 1999-2000 Readers Poll Best Vibraphonist by Jazziz Magazine and Chicago
Tribune’s Debut of the Year.

Mr. Harris has performed at many of the world’s most distinguished concert halls,
including Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. The Kennedy Center, San Francisco’s
Herbst Theater, UCLA’s Royce Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, Detroit’s Orchestra
Hall, and The Sydney Opera House. He has toured and recorded with the Chamber Music
Society of Lincoln Center and performed his original compositions with the Dutch
Metropole Orchestra in Den Hague. He has toured South Africa, Brazil and Europe 
performing at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival and the Umbria
Jazz Festival, among others.

In 2001 he premiered “The Grand Unification Theory” — a full length concert piece
commissioned by The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall which was later presented at the
New Jersey Performing Arts Center. He has also appeared at the legendary Playboy
Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival and the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
Most recently Mr. Harris received a commission from The Wharton Center for Performing
Arts, Michigan State University which will debut in 2005.

An active educator Mr. Harris conducts over 100 clinics and lectures annually at
schools and universities throughout the country. He is currently Artist in Residence
at San Francisco Performances and in 2002 at The Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum
in Boston. In addition he has been an active member of the Executive Board of Directors
for Chamber Music America

“Blackout,” Stefon’s new project featuring a hybrid of acoustic music and progressive
sounds debuted its CD, Evolution in April 2004 and also embarked on a national tour.
Praised for “pursing jazz on it?s own terms” (Washington Post); the band features
Casey Benjamin (alto sax), Marc Cary (keyboards), Darryl Hall (bass) and Terreon
Gully, and has performed to sold out crowds at The Kennedy Center and North Sea 
Jazz Festival.

The 2003 release of The Grand Unification Theory; an eleven movement piece featuring
Latin, Classical, African and Jazz influences earned a Grammy nomination, JAZZIZ
Critics Choice and 4 star reviews from Downbeat Magazine, Rolling Stone and The 
Los Angeles Times,

His 2001 CD Kindred earned him his second Grammy nod for Best Jazz Album. A quartet
recording with the noted pianist Jacky Terrasson Kindred is a follow-up to his sophomore
release Black Action Figure (Blue Note Records) which was also nominated for a Grammy
for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. His premiere as a leader, A Cloud of Red Dust, 
was voted Best Debut Recording at the 1999 New York Jazz Awards.

In addition to leading his own band, Mr. Harris has recorded as part of The Classical
Jazz Quartet, a series of jazz interpreted classics with Kenny Barron, Ron Carter,
and Lewis Nash. He has also recorded and toured with many of music’s greatest artists,
including Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Buster Williams, Kenny
Barron, Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Coleman, and Steve Turre
among many others.

![Image result for Stefon Harris](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/7shXEFuxHAA/maxresdefault.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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