Fowler Center to present Allan Harris Band, Feb. 15
JONESBORO – Fowler Center will present the Allan Harris Band on Friday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Riceland Hall. Harris is a world-class singer, guitarist and songwriter known for his interpretations of jazz standards, smooth vocals and versatile guitar playing which easily crosses genres, from jazz to rock to blues. KAIT8 is sponsor for this show.
While in Jonesboro, three of the band members also will conduct a workshop with jazz students in the A-State Music Department the morning of the concert.
Tony Bennett calls Allan “my favorite singer” and The New York Times’ Stephen Holden raves about “the protean talent that is Allan Harris.” Allan has performed for packed audiences and received outstanding reviews throughout the United States, Europe, Russia and the Far East. A three-time winner of the New York Nightlife Award for “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist,” Allan is regularly featured at music festivals including Jazz Aspen, Wien Jazz Festival in Austria and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy.
“I try to sing the American Songbook the way it’s sung, the way the composers write the melodies,” says Harris. “I go back and listen to the greats, like an Ella Fitzgerald tune, or a Frank Sinatra, or even a Doris Day version and try to listen to the way they nailed the song…After I learn it that way, I put my own little flavor on it.”
Harris’ band will perform selections from his albums “Open Up Your Mind,” “Long Live the King,” “Setting the Standard” and his latest CD, “Convergence,” which was released on May 22 last year. Tunes performed will include plenty of standards like “Can’t Live My Life Without You,” “L-O-V-E,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Hold You,” “My Foolish Heart,” “Black Coffee Blues,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and “I’ve Got The Blues.”
Besides his jazz talents, Harris’ 2006 album “Cross That River” surprised many of his fans with its expression of the singer’s deep passion for country music, horses and the history of the black cowboys in the American frontier. In the words of one jazz reviewer, Harris is not afraid to “forge new frontiers,” to blend jazz and country styles, especially since it has forged stronger relationships with his audiences.
Harris and his band are passionate about educating today’s younger audiences through their music. Harris recently received a Chamber Music America grant, which allowed him to perform for students in 12 schools starting in Harlem, New York.
All seating is reserved, and tickets may be purchased at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center, 217 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro, or by calling (870) 972-ASU1 (2781) or toll-free (888) ASU-FANS (278-3267). Tickets are also available online from the ASU Central Box Office, http://www2.astate.edu/tickets/, and from Fowler Center, www.yourfowlercenter.com, 201 Olympic Dr.
Tickets are $30 and $20 for adults, and $23 and $15 for senior citizens and students, $24 and $16 for faculty and staff, and $10 and $6 for ASU students with a current ID. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
For more details, contact Dr. Hymes at Fowler Center, whymes@astate.edu or (870) 972-3471.
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