M
eet jazz vibraphonist and bandleader Stefon Harris, who the Los Angeles Times has noted “as one of the significant jazz players (and, now, composers) of the new century.” Get to know him during this session, along with the members of his band, Sonic Creed, as they explore the different techniques musicians use to personalize their music and create their own unique sound.
ABOUT STEFON HARRIS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW • Harris’s passion for music began early. He taught himself to read sheet music and play the piano at age six, and from there went on to try his hand at other instruments including the drums, clarinet, trombone, flute, French horn, bassoon, and string bass. By the end of middle school, he knew how to play almost every instrument of the orchestra but ultimately chose to focus on percussion instruments, in particular the marimba and vibraphone. • Growing up, Harris was exposed to hip hop, R&B, gospel, and classical music. It wasn’t until his freshman year in college that he first heard jazz music; Harris instantly connected intellectually and spiritually with the music. • As a composer, Harris is dedicated to exploring the potential of jazz composition and blazing new trails on the vibraphone. His long list of diverse artistic influences include classical composer Igor Stravinsky, jazz legend Charlie Parker, English rock band Radiohead, and American singer, songerwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder. • Strongly committed to music education, the bandleader regularly conducts clinics and lectures for young people and aspiring jazz musicians throughout the country. He also teaches jazz at New York University and The New School in New York City.
Photo by Jimmy Katz
Cuesheet
A PERFORMANCE AND DEMONSTRATION
PERFORMANCE GUIDE
STEFON HARRIS AND SONIC CREED
Jazz is a truly American musical form—and many people consider it one of America’s best contributions to the world of music. Jazz first emerged about 100 years ago in the American South, most distinctly in New Orleans, Louisiana. This seaport city served as home to people of African, French, English, Caribbean, and other backgrounds. It also became a melting pot for music from these many traditions. African American musicians fused elements of ragtime, blues, classical, and big brass band sounds to create this distinct new type of music. After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation. It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’ complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change—from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM In this session, Harris and Sonic Creed will introduce music for vibraphone and jazz band, but much of the performance will be determined by you, the audience. How is that, you might ask? Well, for Harris, the real tradition of jazz music comes from its spontaneity. There are no rules in its creation or performance, so the music is truly able to adapt and reflect what’s happening at any moment. He explains he never knows in advance exactly what songs he’ll play; it depends on “what’s happening in the room.” So remember, it’s your energy and reactions that will drive the direction of the program.
Harris engages his entire body to play the vibraphone and explains, “I’m dancing when I play.”
Photo by Siebe van Ineveld
JAZZ: AN EVOLVING ART FORM
David M. Rubenstein Chairman Deborah F. Rutter President Mario R. Rossero Senior Vice President, Education Jason Moran Artistic Director for Jazz
MEET THE BAND Known for their high-energy performances and versatile style, Sonic Creed members include: Stefon Harris, vibraphone and marimba James Francies, piano Joshua Crumbly, bass Jonathan Pinson, drums Elena Pinderhughes, flute and vocals Mike Moreno, guitar
Jazz Performance/Demonstrations are made possible by Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education. Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program. Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
THE VIBRAPHONE This percussion instrument closely resembles the human voice and is most commonly used in jazz as opposed to other musical styles. It features metal keys or bars across its top, arranged flat like a keyboard. Sound is created when a key is hit by a mallet (a light hammer with a rounded head), causing the metal to vibrate. Hollow tubes beneath the keys, called resonators, help to amplify the sound. A foot pedal at the base of the instrument controls the amount of air that goes in and out of the resonators which allows the player to decide how long a note is played.
www.artsedge.kennedy-center/org Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdge, an education program of the Kennedy Center. Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2016 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
THE LANGUAGE OF JAZZ Here are some key jazz terms to know and different elements to listen for… Articulation Performance techniques used by musicians that determine the style or sound of the music Harmony Two or more notes played together that create a compatible or pleasant sound Improvisation Creating music or song spontaneously, a technique that requires great musical skill and creativity
Listen Up! Learn more about jazz and other musical styles on ArtsEdge artsedge.kennedy-center.org/ students/kc-connections