Return of SPH8! | 2022 Spring Tour
The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8) returns!
This upcoming spring, Harvey will be going on a regional tour with the his octet and premiering an array of new music and arrangements. These performances will feature reductions of some of his big band music, expansions of some of his small group music. The new music featured will be from Harvey’s newest octet suite, Elemental. The compositions from this suite are inspired by the classic elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water.
About the Band
To learn more about Harvey, visit his biography page.
Chris Coles (alto saxophone) is a Yamaha performing artists based in the Greater Akron Area. He serves on the faculty of Kent State University, Aurora School of Music and Tri-C Creative Arts Academy. Recently, Chris composed, recorded, and released a 40-minute suite, Nine Lives. This project was written in memory of the nine lives lost at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal in Charleston, SC.
Tommy Lehman (trumpet) is another active musician in the Greater Akron Area. Currently, Lehman is celebrating the release of his album Tommy, and keeping an active performance schedule in the Greater Akron/Cleveland area.
Jeff Bush, Reggie Watkins, and Sam Blakeslee will share the role of trombonist on separate dates. This collection of trombonists represents the height of trombone performance in their prospective areas. Each musician continues their own performance schedule, appearing with ensembles such as the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Big Heart Machine, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Terraza Big Band, Remy LeBouef’s Assembly of Shadows, to name a few.
Dan Bruce (guitar) is a graduate of the University of North Texas. He now resides in the Cleveland area after spending years as a musician in the Chicago area. Bruce has performed on more than thirty albums as a side man and has two recordings under his name. Bruce is on faculty at Youngstown State University.
Theron Brown (piano) currently resides in Akron, OH where he coordinates the Rubber City Blues Fest. Brown is also an active musician in the area, releasing his debut album in 2019 and is currently working on his follow up album. Brown is faculty at Kent State University in addition to other teaching roles.
Tony DePaolis (bass) is Brooklyn based musician and composer. He can now be seen daily playing at iconic New York City venues such as Smalls, Mintons, and The Django. Prior to relocating to Brooklyn, DePaolis was active in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA as a sideman and leader.
Dustin May (drums), is a Youngstown based musician and educator. He actively performs as a side man with many ensembles in Northeast Ohio and is on faculty at Youngstown State University and Kent State U.
Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant and Performing Artist Touring Roster
Stephen Philip Harvey was one of the recipients of the Maryland State Arts Councils Creativity Grants. Harvey was awarded $3,500 in support of final production stages for his upcoming jazz orchestra album, Smash!. The Maryland State Arts Council grants support for creative projects on a monthly basis and a rolling deadline.
In addition, Harvey was accepted into their Performing Artist Touring Roster. MSAC uses the roster to promote artistic collaboration between Maryland touring artists and Maryland presenters with the goal of increasing touring engagements for Maryland professional performing artists. Harvey can now parter with non-profits, universities, and local arts councils to present any of his numerous ensembles projects.
The Maryland State Arts Council’s Instagram Announcement for December 2021 Creativity Grant Awardees
SPH selected for the JEN's 2022 Young Composers Showcase
Super excited to announce that I’ve been selected for the Jazz Education Network’s 2022 Young Composer Showcase. My piece “Projectile Dysfunction” will be played during the 2022 Conference and I get to participate in mentoring sessions along with the other selected composers.
“Projectile Dysfunction” is a piece inspired by the helpless civilian in the midst of a super-powered fight. This piece is part of a collection of compositions inspired by comic book superheroes, characters, tropes, and archetypes. The first album of these compositions, Smash!, is due to be released in 2022.
Thank you, JEN for this opportunity! See you in Dallas! Congrats to everyone else selected!
More information on the Young Composer Showcase and the other selectees can be found here.
New Website!
I’ve redone my website! 🎉
If you’ve been to this site before, you’re noticing a change in the design and aesthetic of my website. This news blog is where I’ll be posting any news, updates, announcements, etc. from now on. With 2022 right around the corner, there are a lot of surprises coming along!
As always, thanks for the support. Stay safe. Stay musical.
- SPH