The Next Venture: John Stites Jazz Award

Posted by Andre Harness

07/08/2025

Hi readers!

This month has been a whirlwind. Finishing the final stretch of my MBA, navigating unexpected pet emergencies, weekly gatherings with friends, and dealing with personal health challenges; it’s been a lot to juggle. Yet, amidst the chaos, a spark of inspiration arrived early one June morning: an email from the Jazz Education Network highlighting the John Stites Jazz Award. It was a motivating reminder of the incredible opportunities available to musicians like myself.

Inspired and energized, I quickly arranged a fresh take on a classic, "Body and Soul" (available for download on my resources page, though admittedly it's nothing special) and I began outlining my next venture: a mentorship-focused project I've titled, In the Spirit of the Masters.

The heart of this project is a journey of growth and discovery, guided by some of the jazz community’s remarkable performers, educators, and arrangers. Let me introduce you briefly to the incredible musicians who are generously agreeing sharing their wisdom and mentor me:

• Horace Alexander Young: An extraordinary saxophonist and flutist whose career spans collaborations with legends like Aretha Franklin and Abdullah Ibrahim. Horace’s extensive experience across performance, composition, and jazz education will deeply enrich my artistic development. Horace has also been working with the Conrad Johnson Orchestra, of which I am proud to be a member, and I have already been inspired by playing several of his arrangements.

• David Caceres: Known for blending soulful vocals and masterful saxophone playing, David’s lineage and experience (performing alongside Wynton Marsalis and Regina Belle, among others) will offer invaluable insights into jazz expression and stage presence. David was also recently announced as the Associate Director for Jazz Houston, a wonderful 501(c)(3) dedicated to jazz education in the Houston area, definitely something I can learn more about.

• Dr. Woody Witt: A powerhouse tenor saxophonist and educator, Woody’s fluency in jazz improvisation and his achievements, including winning international saxophone competitions, make him an ideal mentor in refining my musicianship. I had the privilege of working with Woody previously during my time at Lamar University, and I'm thrilled at the opportunity to reconnect with him.

• Brian Lawrence: Versatile in saxophone, piano, arranging, and education, Brian’s dynamic experience from directing prominent jazz ensembles to arranging for major events will be instrumental in helping me elevate my compositional skills. Funny enough, Brian mentioned his connection to my good friend and drummer, Dr. Reese Maultsby at Lamar University, who plays in the Golden Triangle Big Band. Small world!

• Dr. Fumi Tomita: An accomplished bassist, composer, and author, Fumi’s unique approach to narrative-driven jazz and his expertise in jazz history and theory promise to enhance both my performance and scholarly appreciation of the genre. Having a rhythm section mentor, particularly in bass, will help me refine my arranging!

• Dr. Earl MacDonald: An acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator known for his profound blend of jazz tradition with modern compositional techniques. Earl has served as musical director for Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Band and received multiple JUNO Award nominations. His deep educational commitment at the University of Connecticut, combined with his notable compositional and arranging expertise, will significantly impact my growth as a composer and arranger.

Tomorrow, I head into the studio to record two tracks. Alongside the recordings and mentors, I’ve gathered heartfelt letters of recommendation from trusted colleagues, former mentors, and collaborators; testaments to the wonderful community supporting me.

Whether or not the grant comes through, I'm deeply committed to this artistic journey. I feel truly blessed to have such incredible support, and I promise to honor it by working tirelessly to keep the spirit of jazz thriving.

Wish me luck!

— Andre