The Clark College Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Doug Harris presents its “A Salute to the Big Bands” on Saturday, November 23, 2019, 7:30 pm in Gaiser Student Center on the campus of Clark College. Joining the Clark Jazz, is the Prairie High School Jazz Band directed by Ryan Messling. Featured on the program will be music made famous by the great bands of the Swing Era, such as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. Admission to the performance free and open to the public. Donations to the Clark College Music Department are welcome at the door.
“We’re very excited to have the wonderful band from Prairie High School join us for the opening concert of the 2019-2020 season. They have a great tradition and we’re so happy they are coming to share their music with us,” says Dr. Harris. “Our set will pay homage to some of the great bands of the past, but some “classic” tunes might come with a twist!”
For complete information about all the Clark College Music Department concerts including the orchestra, concert band, jazz band, and choirs, please seehttp://www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/music-concerts.
About Doug Harris
Dr. Doug Harris is in his second year as Director of Bands at Clark College after serving as Assistant Director of Bands at Western Kentucky University, and Director of Bands at both Santa Clara University and Southern Utah University. He also enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a high school band director in Florida.
Dr. Harris received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Florida, his Master of Arts and Doctor of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. His conducting teachers include Richard W. Bowles, Dr. Raymond Chobaz, Dr. German Gutierez, Dr. Richard Mayne and Dr. Kenneth Singleton, and has studied with Douglas Akey, Stanley Derusha, John Paynter and Frank Batiste. At his most recent high school, Palm Bay High School in Melbourne, FL., his concert and jazz bands were recognized as being among the elite in the state, regularly receiving highest marks at district and state festivals. The Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the University of Florida Invitational Concert Band Festival as well as the prestigious Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis. The top jazz band performed at, and won, jazz festivals in Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and has earned praise while performing with jazz notables such as Ira Sullivan, Bill Prince, Marc Dickman, Christian Tamburr, Maynard Ferguson, David Steinmeyer, Bobby Shew and Portland’s own Charlie Porter.
