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Stefon Harris: A Generation's Preeminent Voice Of The Vibraphone

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris and double bassist Ben Williams. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Stefon Harris: A Generation's Preeminent Voice Of The Vibraphone

Jazz at Lincoln Center

May 21, 2020 • Vibraphonist Stefon Harris gives us a lesson in empathy on and off the bandstand with his band Blackout.

Stefon Harris: A Generation's Preeminent Voice Of The Vibraphone

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Stefon Harris — Vibraphonist, Educator, Thinker — Teaches Empathy From The Bandstand

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Stefon Harris — Vibraphonist, Educator, Thinker — Teaches Empathy From The Bandstand

March 30, 2020 • Stefon Harris has been attracting the attention of jazz fans since he released his 1998 debut, but he's less interested in praise than helping his listeners empathize with the world around them.

Stefon Harris — Vibraphonist, Educator, Thinker — Teaches Empathy From The Bandstand

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Transcript

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Elizabeth Leitzell/Courtesy of the artist

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Stefon Harris On Piano Jazz

August 17, 2018 • Vibraphonist Stefon Harris is one of the most innovative and impressive artists in jazz, blazing new trails on vibraphone and marimba.

Stefon Harris On Piano Jazz

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Doris Duke Artist Awards Return, Breaking A Pledge To End After 5 Years

Violinist Regina Carter peforming. Carter is one of the recipients of the 2018 Doris Duke Artist Awards, along with Dee Dee Bridgewater and Stefon Harris, among others. Scott Gries/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Gries/Getty Images

Music News

Doris Duke Artist Awards Return, Breaking A Pledge To End After 5 Years

June 26, 2018 • The awards, which go to artists who have had significant impact in their field and who are likely to continue doing so, come with a substantial sum of money attached.

Stefon Harris On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'

"You have to love this art form," Stefon Harris says. "It's one of the only opportunities in the world where we really can be purely honest and in the moment, and let the music unfold and reveal itself." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Piano Jazz With Jon Weber

Stefon Harris On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'

March 23, 2012 • Harris showcases his fiery work on the vibes through a polished set of standards and originals.

Stefon Harris On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'

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First Listen: Stefon Harris, David Sanchez And Christian Scott, 'Ninety Miles'

Stefon Harris, David Sanchez and Christian Scott's collaborative album, Ninety Miles, comes out June 21. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Stefon Harris, David Sanchez And Christian Scott, 'Ninety Miles'

June 12, 2011 • On their first collaborative album, the three jazz musicians follow in the footsteps of Nat King Cole, Tito Puente and other American artists who've traveled to Havana and immersed themselves in Cuban clave rhythms.

Stefon Harris & Blackout. Nitin Vadukal hide caption

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Nitin Vadukal

Concerts

Stefon Harris And Blackout On JazzSet

WBGO

February 4, 2010 • At the Kennedy Center Jazz Club bandstand, Harris' vibes run parallel to the edge of the stage and perpendicular to his marimba. Like a boxer in the ring, he works the corner where the keys meet. Hear Harris and his band Blackout pound on OutKast and Jackie McLean in two sets.

Listen Now: The First Set

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Courtesy the Artist

All Songs Considered

The Year's Best New Jazz

October 19, 2009 • We spin some of the year's best new jazz recordings on this week's show. Bob talks with Josh Jackson, host of Live At the Village Vanguard, and the two play cuts from some of 2009's standout albums.

The Year's Best New Jazz

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Stefon Harris Blackout: E Pluribus Urban

Stefon Harris Blackout performs at WBGO. Josh Jackson/See More Photos hide caption

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Josh Jackson/See More Photos

Favorite Sessions

Stefon Harris Blackout: E Pluribus Urban

WBGO

August 25, 2009 • Five years ago, vibraphonist and marimba player Stefon Harris started Blackout. It's a troupe of music mercenaries adept in the language of jazz, the strut of soul music and the raucous ruckus of breakbeats, go-go and new-jack rhythms. Hear Blackout bring swagger to modern jazz in a session from WBGO.

Session Spotlight: Stefon Harris Blackout Performs 'The Afterthought'

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