Stefon Harris & Blackout

Vibraphonist-composer Stefon Harris is heralded as “one of the most important young artists in jazz.” Just 36 years old, Harris is a graduate of The Manhattan School of Music where he received a B.A. in Classical Music and an M.A. in jazz performance. His CD, Black Action Figure, was nominated for a Grammy. Harris has received several commissions, including his eleven-movement concert piece, “The Grand Unification Theory” a blend of Latin, Classical, African and Jazz influences that also earned him a Grammy nomination. He has performed worldwide and has toured and recorded with the SF JAZZ Collective, Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Buster Williams, Kurt Elling, Cyrus Chestnut and Steve Coleman. An active educator, he conducts clinics and lectures at numerous schools and universities. Blackout, released their debut CD, Evolution, in 2004, with Urbanus being released in 2009. Featuring a hybrid of acoustic music and progressive sounds, the band features Stefon Harris, vibraphone and marimba; Casey Benjamin, alto saxophone; Sullivan Fortner, piano/keyboards; Ben Williams, bass; and Terreon Gully, drums.