KEVIN HARRIS BIO
Benefit Jazz Concert: Deep Roots-Tall Trees
Friday August 8, 2014 7pm
Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center
Kevin Harris
Fred Hersch talks of Kevin as one
who “plays and writes with flair and real soul" and
Downbeat Magazine writes that “Harris' compositions deal with themes of
strength, love, courage, and self awareness. It's a heavy task he's set up for
himself, and he meets the challenge gracefully.”
One of the captivating elements of
his group is the level of comfort and understanding they have with one another
as they dive into passionate music conversations as well as playful exchanges.
Both his live performances and his recordings reflect Harris’s determination to
capture his audience through thoughtful music interactions and very complex
solo sections.
Among his most
recent collaborations are: Greg Osby, Jeremy Pelt, Peter Slavov, Francisco
Mela, Avishai Cohen, Eddie Gomez, Carlos Averhoff, Richie Barshay, Ben Street,
Ralph Peterson, Ralph Bowen, Jason Palmer, Jerry Bergonzi, Cecil McBee, Bob
Moses, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tommy Campbell, and Bill Pierce.
Kevin Harris
videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/KevinHarrisProject
His Music
.
Harris
performs at renowned national and international venues --Blue Note (NYC
and Milan), Smalls, Scullers, JazzHus Montmartre, Wally's, to name a
few--.
His ensemble has also participated at the Jazz Festivals in Havana, Panama, Copenhagen, Lima, and Boston.
His Story
Kevin
holds a master's degree in jazz performance from the
New England Conservatory and an undergraduate degree
in music education (Morehead State University, KY).
At the NEC, he studied with Fred Hersch, Mike Cain,
Cecil
McBee, George Garzone, and Danilo Perez, and performed
with George Russell, Benny Golson and Bob Brookmeyer.
After
graduating from the New England Conservatory, Kevin
worked at defining himself and his music through
partnerships
with key musicians and also studying and arranging
the music of jazz’s masters such as Thelonious Monk,
Charlie Parker as well as elaborate classical composers
as J.S. Bach and Beethoven. The continuing search for growth
and new expression is clearly recognizable in his albums.
Discography
With his 4th album as a leader, ‘Museum Vol’ released in
2013, Kevin presents a personal collection of concepts in song form.
DownBeat gives it three stars and describes it as “overall smart, lyrical and engrossing”. The Phoenix chooses it as the “Editor’s Pick” and highlights “the
tight/loose elasticity, the tension between form and freedom that was
the hallmark of so many Miles Davis sessions with Shorter and Herbie
Hancock . . . calm and collected, but also loose and full of surprises."
The initial release tour brings the ensemble to Panama, Copenhagen,
Lima, Boston, New York, with thriving performances for both new and
established fans.
In 2010, Kevin released ‘Chapters’ at Scullers Jazz Club and Blue Note NYC.
This new album is a courageous compilation of complex dialogue and a
fearless ambition to continue to explore the world of improvisation.
It includes compositions by Kevin and drummer Steve Langone, along with
new arrangements of Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker.
Listeners of all musical tastes and genres are sure to enjoy!
Kevin has also released two other albums as a leader, 'Freedom Doxology',
demonstrating his ability to create an energetic interaction using odd
meters and advanced harmony, a true treat for any listener. This album
also displays kevin's interest in exploring and arranging Monk and
Coltrane's tunes.
And his very first album, 'The Butterfly Chronicles', holds a number
of through-composed originals that take listeners through
the stories told by the engaging notes played.
Jazztimes magazine says of it ‘Harris possesses a spare style and gentle touch’
His Other Work
Harris is currently on the faculty at Berklee College of Music where he teaches piano, jazz ensembles, summer theory classes, and piano labs; in previous years he has also taught classes at the Boston Arts Academy, and collaborated with the North Eastern University Fusion Art's Program teaching students from Brazil, India, and South Africa.
Committed to the community and to getting youth involved in music, Kevin
has conducted clinics and master classes in both public and private
schools throughout the USA, Europe, Panama, and Peru.
In 2000 he started five separate band programs with help from "Arts In
Progress," a Boston based arts organization.
Lastly
Harris thrives on communication. A typical performance/clinic always
involves interacting with the audience that in turn inspires a sense of
joyful connectedness and community.
"Participation,” he says, "is what keeps our souls alive."