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Stefon Harris
Jazz Vibraphonist
Stefon Harris
Jazz Vibraphonist
Biography
Stefon Harris' passionate artistry, astonishing virtuosity, and natural leadership skills have propelled him to the forefront of the jazz scene. Heralded as "one of the most important artists in jazz" (Los Angeles Times), he is a recipient of the prestigious Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center, has earned four GRAMMY™ nominations, and has been named Best Mallet player eight times by the Jazz Journalist Association. He was also chosen Best Vibes in the 2017 Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll, the 2016 Jazz Times Expanded Critics Poll, the 2014 Jazz Times Critics Poll and the 2013 Downbeat Critics Poll.
NPR's All Things Considered praised Mr. Harris' audacious CD Urbanus, which also earned a GRAMMY™ nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, as one of "The Year's Best New Jazz" recordings. As a member of the SFJAZZ Collective, their 2014 CD, Wonder: The Songs of Stevie Wonder, won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album.
Mr. Harris received his Bachelor of Music degree in classical music and Master of Music degree in jazz performance at Manhattan School of Music (MSM). He teaches in person at universities throughout the world and virtually via his Distance Learning Studio, has led curriculum development at the Brubeck Institute, and serves as Artistic Director of Jazz Education at New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Prior to being named Associate Dean and Director of Jazz Arts at MSM in July 2017, Mr. Harris was Visiting Professor at Rutgers University and served on the jazz faculty of New York University for the past decade. "The Art of Listening," part of a series of documentaries focusing on Harris's community work in arts education in Kalamazoo, won 3 Gold Camera awards and 3 Michigan EMMY nominations.
As a popular motivational speaker, Mr. Harris leads transformative presentations on corporate leadership development and team empowerment to Fortune 50 companies using jazz as a metaphor. His inspiring 2012 TED talk, "There Are No Mistakes on the Bandstand," has gained over a half million views to date. Mr. Harris has served on the Board of Directors for Chamber Music America and WBGO-FM and is currently on the Board of Advisors for Percussive Arts Society.
Mr. Harris just recorded his eleventh album, Sonic Creed (Motema Records) with his band Blackout. He has also recorded as part of The Classical Jazz Quartet, with Kenny Barron, Ron Carter (another MSM alumnus), and Lewis Nash, and toured worldwide with his bands and as a member of the SFJAZZ Collective, as well as recording and performing with many of music's greatest artists, including: Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Dr. Billy Taylor, Max Roach (MSM alumnus), Cedar Walton, Mulgrew Miller, Benny Golson, Bobby Watson, Chaka Khan, Kurt Elling, Buster Williams, Dianne Reeves, Ry Cooder, Charlie Hunter, Common, and Pablo Zeigler.
His venture into new technological advances led to the co-founding of The Melodic Progression Institute (MPI) in 2013 with partner Clif Swiggett. With a focus on designing innovative ways to help musicians learn and grown, MPI released its first app in 2016, Harmony Cloud™, an ear-training learning tool now available on iTunes.
Speaker Videos
There are no mistakes on the bandstand
Speech Topics
What Jazz Teaches Us About Leadership, Teamwork, Diversity & More
Combining the captivating performance style of his hit TED talk “There Are No Mistakes on the Bandstand” with your event’s strategic message, vibraphone virtuoso Stefon Harris and his improvisational quartet deliver a transformative presentation on corporate leadership development, team empowerment and more. Their musical metaphors on subjects ranging from the pitfalls of micromanagement to the value of diversity, collaboration and risk-taking have delighted Fortune 50 audiences. You’ll enjoy an extraordinary jazz performance from one of America’s most celebrated jazz musicians, educators and thought leaders—while gaining valuable lessons that can spark change and inspire innovation.
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