A native of Louisville, Kentucky, saxophonist and educator Jarrard Harris is a Clinical Assistant Professor
of Bands at Purdue University. Professor Harris is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College
Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Rick VanMatre, Pat Harbison, and Marc Fields. Upon
graduation from CCM, Professor Harris moved to Chicago in 1998 to attend DePaul University where he
earned his master’s degree in jazz studies under the tutelage of Bob Lark, Tim Coffman, and Marc Colby.
He joined Purdue University Bands & Orchestras in 2019 and now leads the Jazz Program.

Professor Harris has served on the jazz faculties of Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago,
and the City Colleges of Chicago, and also as the Director of Jazz Studies with the Chicago Public Schools
Advanced Arts Education Program at Gallery 37. He maintains an active private teaching studio in addition
to serving as a director, clinician, guest artist and adjudicator at college, high school and state festivals.
Professor Harris was a founding board member of the Jazz Education Network and serves as a current
board member for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. He plays Vandoren saxophone reeds and mouthpieces and
is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist.