Jarrard Harris

Jazz History

Biography

Purdue Bands & Orchestras is excited to welcome Jarrard Harris as the Clinical Assistant Professor of Bands. Harris will teach alongside Dr. Mo Trout in the Purdue Jazz department, in addition to a Jazz History class in the Purdue University College of Liberal Arts.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, saxophonist and educator Jarrard Harris attended the DuPont Manual/Youth Performing Arts School High School and attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music to pursue a degree in jazz studies. At CCM he studied with Rick VanMatre, Pat Harbison, and Marc Fields. Upon Graduation from CCM Harris moved to Chicago in 1998 to attend DePaul University where under the tutelage of Bob Lark, Tim Coffman, and Marc Colby he earned his master’s degree in jazz studies. Harris currently lives in Chicago, where he served on the jazz faculties of Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago and the City Colleges of Chicago. He also serves as the director of jazz studies with the Chicago Public Schools Advanced Arts Education Program at Gallery 37.

He maintains an active private teaching studio in addition to serving as a director, clinician, guest artist and adjudicator at college and high school festivals, and state band festivals. He has performed in the United States and abroad at numerous jazz festivals and performed with jazz artists Jon Faddis Big Band, Barry Harris, Joe Magnarelli, Nicholas Payton, Joe Lovano, Claudia Acuna, Jimmy Heath, Brian Lynch, Antonio Hart, Bobby Watson, Benny Green, Eric Reed, Stefon Harris, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, the Chicago Sinfonietta, Sean Jones, Sharel Cassity, Eric Alexander, and Johnny Griffin to name a few. He has performed at the Goodman and Court Theater in the musicals “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Five Guys Named Moe”. Jarrard was a founding board member of the Jazz Education Network and serves as a current board member for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Jarrard plays Vandoren saxophone Reeds and mouthpieces and is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist.

Specialization

Jazz History