ENTERTAINMENT
October 30, 2006 | Don Heckman, Special to The Times
The vibraphone has always been an enigmatic jazz instrument for me. Although I've been mesmerized by the very different styles of Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Terry Gibbs, Bobby Hutcherson and Milt Jackson -- to name a few -- I have often found the instrument's plink-plunk, in other hands, to be less than beguiling. I added Stefon Harris to that list of mesmerizing players almost as soon as I heard him.
NEWS
April 3, 2003 | Don Heckman, Special to The Times
A project as complicated as Stefon Harris' "Grand Unification Theory" is difficult to implement, even in the friendly surroundings of a recording studio. Nonetheless, the large-scale, 11-movement work for 12 musicians was superbly produced on a Blue Note album -- one of this year's first four-star collections. A live outing is a very different challenge, however.
ENTERTAINMENT
February 16, 2003 | Don Heckman, Special to The Times
New jazz stars have been hard to spot in the last few years. But few would argue that one of the brightest luminaries in that relatively small firmament is vibraphone player Stefon Harris. Since the arrival of his first album as a leader, "A Cloud of Red Dust" in 1998, his live outings and his recorded performances have revealed an omnivorous talent improving by leaps and bounds.
NEWS
December 6, 2001 | DON HECKMAN, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Every now and then a night comes along in which the music is so enthralling, so superbly delivered, that a reviewer can set aside critical faculties and simply marvel at the sheer magic of artistry at work. The performance by the Stefon Harris and Jacky Terrasson Quartet at the Jazz Bakery on Tuesday was one of those nights. It's rare when two of the brightest young stars in the jazz firmament can be seen on the same stage.
ENTERTAINMENT
April 20, 2001 | DON HECKMAN, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
When vibraphonist Stefon Harris suddenly emerged on the jazz scene in the late '90s, he was quickly identified as a potentially important and innovative player. Electing to make sure his jazz dues were paid, Harris--who was originally on a classical path, planning to be a symphonic percussionist--has spent the last couple of years solidifying his skills as a player, a leader and, as it turns out, a thoughtful, still-evolving artist.
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
April 19, 2000
Saxophonist Joshua Redman, vibraphonist Stefon Harris and guitarist John Pizzarelli lead the lineup on the Orange County Performing Arts Center's 2000-01 Jazz Club series in 299-seat Founders Hall. Pizzarelli opens the series Sept. 22 and 23. Redman plays March 30 and 31, and Harris on April 20 and 21, 2001. Also coming next season are Latin jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri (Oct. 20 and 21), husband-wife jazz and blues duo Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham (Nov. 17 and 18), singer-pianist Freddy Cole (Dec.