Stefon Harris (Provided)
Charleston Jazz is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award in the amount of $15,000. This grant will support an artist-in-residence program with Grammy-nominated vibraphonist, Stefon Harris. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants.
Stefon Harris' residency with Charleston Jazz will include several educational programs for students at the Charleston Jazz Academy and area schools in October. In addition, Harris will appear at the Charleston Jazz Gala on October 18th and will headline with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra in GOOD VIBES on October 19th at the Charleston Music Hall as part of the Orchestra's 16th season.
A New York native, Stefon Harris uniquely articulates the nuances of jazz on the vibraphone. Initially, Harris set out to pursue classical music, but the works of Charlie Parker enraptured him and pulled him towards jazz. Harris is a renowned musician, having been nominated for four Grammy awards and receiving the prestigious Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center. He has won multiple awards, including the Annual DownBeat Critics Poll and JazzTimes Critics Poll. He is an impressive eight-time recipient of the "Best Mallet Player" honor from the Jazz Journalists Association. His many accolades are a testament to his incredible talent and contributions to the world of music.
“The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to Charleston Jazz, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community," said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD., National Endowment for the Arts Chair. We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”
To learn more about Charleston Jazz and the NEA-supported programs featuring Stefon Harris, visit charlestonjazz.com.
For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
