Stefon Harris & Blackout to Perform at Clark

Arts@Clark welcomes the Grammy-nominated vibraphonist to kick off Clark College’s 62nd Jazz Festival

By Levi Nelson

Stefon Harris

On Jan. 28, Clark College welcomes one of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz as Stefon Harris brings his acclaimed ensemble, Blackout, to campus to open the 62nd Clark College Jazz Festival. 

Stefon Harris & Blackout will take the stage at the Student Center in Gaiser Hall next Wednesday for a headline concert that launches this year's Clark College Jazz Festival. However, the performance is only part of Harris's time at Clark. 

As part of an Arts@Clark Presents residency, Stefon Harris will lead a student clinic and collaborate directly with Clark College's Jazz Band, creating rare, hands-on learning opportunities for emerging musicians. These experiences bring professional artistry into the classroom, allowing students to engage with a master of the form and gain insight into both the craft and the creative process behind contemporary jazz. 

All proceeds from the concert on the 28th will support music scholarships at Clark College, directly connecting community engagement with student success. By attending, audience members help expand access to arts education while enjoying an evening of world-class jazz in Southwest Washington. 

Through Arts@Clark, performances like Stefon Harris & Blackout do more than bring internationally recognized artists to campus, they invest in mentorship, creative exploration, and opportunity, ensuring the arts remain a vibrant bridge between Clark College and the broader community. 

About Stefon Harris & Blackout

A four-time Grammy nominee, Harris is celebrated not only for his extraordinary musicianship but also for his ability to expand what jazz can be—intellectually, emotionally, and culturally. Over the course of his career, he has helped redefine the vibraphone's role in modern jazz, blending rigorous composition with fearless improvisation. His work has earned national recognition, including WBGO's Jazz Album of the Year and multiple "Best Vibes Player" honors. The New Yorker has called him "the standout vibraphonist of his generation," while critic Nat Hentoff wrote that Harris's music "needs no labels… it is Stefon Harris music." 

Stefon Harris

Attend the Stefon Harris & Blackout Concert

Reserve your seat and support music scholarships at Clark College today. 

About Arts@Clark

Arts@Clark is an initiative of Clark College Foundation that elevates Clark College’s visual, digital, performing, literary, and culinary arts programs while strengthening connections between the College and the Southwest Washington community. Through partnerships with faculty and visiting artists, Arts@Clark Presents offers a curated series of performances, workshops, and other public events — many free or low-cost and family-friendly — that introduce national and international artists to Clark County while creating meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for students. Community members are invited to attend events and support this work through the Foundation’s Performing Arts Initiatives Fund or other Arts@Clark programs, helping ensure the arts remain a vibrant bridge between College and community. 

About Clark College Foundation

Clark College Foundation is an independent, self-governed nonprofit partnered with Clark College to broaden access to higher education and strengthen community engagement. The Foundation strives to advance student success and program excellence for educational opportunities to be accessible to all at Clark College.  Each year, the Foundation provides critical funding through scholarships, program support, and financial aid. Among its initiatives are support for first-generation students, veterans, and military-affiliated learners, and basic needs programs like the Penguin Pantry.  Learn more on the Clark College Foundation website.

Photos courtesy of Stefon Harris & Blackout

Story by Levi Nelson, Communications Manager, Clark College Foundation