John Harmon's association with
Lawrence spans more than forty years from his student days as a composition
major (class of 1957) to the present. In 1971 he was the first director of
the jazz studies program and, in recent years, has directed the jazz combo
program, taught improvisation, and jazz composition.
Harmon studied with Belgian composer Henri Pousseur earning his Master of
Arts degree in composition from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
In 1974, he was co-founder of the critically acclaimed, contemporary nonet
"Matrix," with whom he recorded five albums over the next seven
years.
Since 1980, Harmon's time has been divided between composing, teaching, and
a busy performing schedule. Commissions continue to come his way, often with
five to six large commissions in one year. Harmon's compositions have been
performed by the Milwaukee and Duluth Symphonies, Santa Fe Chamber Orchestra,
"The Orchestra" (Los Angeles), numerous brass quintets, jazz singer
Flora Purim, tuba virtuoso Sam Pilafian, and various civic orchestras, colleges
and universities throughout the country.
Since 1991, Harmon has been Composer-in-Residence for the Red Lodge Music
Festival in Montana. Other guest residencies have brought about an abundance
of music for chorus, wind ensemble, orchestra, and jazz ensembles. His songs,
solo piano works and chamber music are published by Ensemble Music, Alliance
Publications, Really Good Music, Hal Leonard and The National Cello Institute.
Harmon's music reveals a romantic innocence and his titles reflect his love
for conservation, nature and Native Americans. Recent featured recordings
include: "Rite of Passage" (Stellar Sound Productions 1004) and
"An Evening with the John Harmon Trio" (Klavier KD 77012)
HONORS/AWARDS
Since 1977 when Matrix received the Golden Feather Award from Leonard Feather
(Downbeat Magazine), Harmon has received many honors and awards. Among the
most recent are the 1998 Renaissance Award from Aid Association for Lutherans
(a $1000 prize to the charitable organization of the recipient's choice);
the 1999 Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association;
Performance of the Month Award from Jazzlz, the international jazz magazine,
for his composition "Soliloquy" on the CD More Beautiful Than Planned
(STELLAR Sound Productions 001); and the 2000 Wisconsin Arts Board Artist
Fellowship Award.