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Conductors |
Matt
Harris - Director of Jazz Studies
Matt Harris graduated from the University of Miami with a
bachelor's degree and from the Eastman School of Music with
a Master's Degree in Jazz Composition. Matt moved to Los
Angeles after touring with jazz greats Maynard Ferguson and
Buddy Rich. In addition to his devotion to jazz education,
Matt's versatility as a writer, arranger and performer keep
him very busy in the L.A. studio scene. His music can be
heard on numerous jingles, film scores, CDs and live
productions.
Matt has two CD's of original music, two published piano
books, and more that 150 pieces of music published by Kendor
Music, Walrus Music, Heritage JazzWorks and UNC Jazz Press.
Matt has been commissioned to write music for bands from
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many high schools and
colleges throughout the country. Matt's first solo piano CD
titled "From the Heart" will soon be available with an
accompanying book that includes lead sheets as well as fully
notated piano scores. Matt's first big band CD recorded by
the Kluver's big band from Aahrus Denmark featuring many of
Matt's original tunes and arrangements will be available by
the end of the summer. Matt is currently Director of Jazz
Studies at California State University Northridge, directing
the award winning Jazz "A" Band and teaching jazz arranging,
improvisation, combos, jazz harmony, class piano, and
private piano instruction. Matt often performs as a guest
soloist and clinician at various Universities and High
Schools. He has recently performed and conducted bands in
New Zealand, Denmark and China. Matt's favorite pastime is
swimming and bike riding with his wife Kim and his two
daughters Madelyn and Emily.
For more information on Matt Harris, go to
www. MattHarris.org
email 1: matt.harris@csun.edu
email 2: kimattme@adelphia.net
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Scott
Prebys serves as Director of Percussion Studies/Chairman
of the Department of Music at the University of Mary in
Bismarck, North Dakota. He directs the University of Mary
Steel Band and the Percussion Group and also teaches jazz
studies. Under his direction, the UMARY Jazz Ensemble has
made two appearances at the famed Montreux Jazz Festival and
recently released a CD on the Sea Breeze label with special
guest trumpet artist Bob Montgomery. Scott has an extensive
performance background and is a frequent clinician
throughout the Midwest. |
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Michael
B. Nelson (trombone) has distinguished himself as the
leader, composer, arranger, and trombonist for the
internationally acclaimed, 5-piece, a cappella jazz horn
group, the HORNHEADS. From 1991-2001 Nelson and the
Hornheads recorded and toured worldwide with Prince. Nelson
also composed horn arrangements for Prince and co-wrote a
song on his Grammy-nominated "Gold Experience" CD. In 1996
Nelson received the McKnight Fellowship through the American
Composers Forum. He has appeared on over 100 CDs including 3
Hornheads solo releases, "Fat Lip", "5 Heads Are Better Than
1", and "Hornheads" and 20 recordings with Prince and his
associated Paisley Park artists. Nelson also performed
and/or recorded with Doc Severinsen, Chaka Khan, Lenny
Kravitz, Sammy Davis Jr., Mandy Moore, Jimmy Jam, Larry
Graham, Ben Sidran, Babyface, Maceo Parker, and many others. |
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