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I listen to a lot of singers, because I find phrasing to be one of the most essential elements of playing.

Stefon Harris

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Stefon Harris
Age: 51
Born: 1973
Born: March 23
Jazz Musician
Vibraphonist
Albany
New York
Stefon DeLeon Harris
Essentials
Elements
Listen
Playing
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Phrasing
Singers
Essential

More quotes by Stefon Harris

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If I play the melody, even if I play it in an abstract manner, it's instantly recognizable. Even when I was studying to be a classical percussionist, I think I was a more lyrical percussionist melody is the heart and soul of the music.
Stefon Harris
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If you listen to the way I speak, I have a lot of rhythm, use a lot of accents. When I'm playing my instrument, that concept comes through very clearly.
Stefon Harris
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I think when you look back at the different eras in jazz, what leads from one to another is never a melodic revolution, but a rhythmic revolution.
Stefon Harris
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The bandstand is an incredible space. It is really a sacred space. One of the things that is really sacred about it is that you have no opportunity to think about the future, or the past.
Stefon Harris
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It's about being here in the moment, accepting one another and allowing creativity to flow.
Stefon Harris
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I love Amsterdam. The city is vibrant and alive. It's fresh and so open. It's definitely one of my favorite places.
Stefon Harris
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Italy has great food and Barcelona has great energy
Stefon Harris
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Every ‘mistake’ is an opportunity in jazz.
Stefon Harris
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I taught myself to read music at a very young age, so when I started to take lessons in school, the teachers used to give me other instruments to keep me busy, because I was more advanced than the other kids.
Stefon Harris
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One of the things I'm adamant about as a bandleader is not micromanaging. I'm an advocate for the concept of allowing everyone to be fully vested in what they're doing, so everyone contributes whatever they're inspired to contribute.
Stefon Harris
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Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a type of emotional engineer. We essential take these sound waves, this sound, and we organize it into emotion, and that's how we connect with our audiences.
Stefon Harris