Improvisation: Instant Composing | John Harmon | TEDxOshkosh

In music, as in life, when improvisation is desired or required, we don’t always have all the notes we might wish for, yet the creative process can still produce a beautiful, functional, positive outcome. This talk demonstrates that flexibility through the power of instant, impromptu composition at the piano.
A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and graduate of Lawrence University (Appleton, WI), John Harmon studied in New York with jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson and Belgian composer, Henri Pousseur. Earning his Master of Arts in Composition at State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY), he worked out east until he was hired in 1971 to create a jazz studies program at Lawrence University. With a core of LU graduates, he founded Matrix, an award-winning jazz nonet which toured the country for nearly 6 years. Harmon serves as Composer-in-Residence for the Red Lodge Music Festival, artistic director for Fox Jazz Fest, and teaches in Door County, Wisconsin at a jazz fantasy camp for adults.
John’s deep interest in nature, environmental issues, and Native Americans¬ provides inspiration for much of his work. His compelling need to raise awareness of Native American culture has inspired him to write six symphonies. He has recently begun his seventh symphony to honor the people of Ukraine. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@gregbleck]

I have admired and enjoyed John's work since the 70's with his Matrix jazz group. This was a treat to hear him explain his working method. Just brilliant!

[@josephbartz3996]

I had the privilege of playing in the Jazz Band directed by John Harmon back in the 1990s at UWO... good to see him still going.

[@donntakebayashi9424]

John Harmon's work with Matrix was so phenomenal...

[@RW-ob4en]

Any recordings existing? I enjoyed them too.

[@donntakebayashi9424]

@@RW-ob4en There are definitely RUclips videos of their songs. There a bit of a pain to locate sometimes because a search of "Matrix" returns a bunch of videos related to the movie of the same name or the mathematical term ,matrix. It helps to search for the specific song titles in addition to the group name (for example, "Matrix Mountolive"). One RUclips user ("Terminal Passage") did upload the entire first album, which is really cool since no CD's are available for it.

[@chuckmerry2143]

Wow!

[@tedxoshkosh]

An interesting coda to John's talk: The very first time he was paid to play the piano, it was on the exact same stage, 79 years before. In that moment, he was 8 years old, and made three dollars U.S..

[@RW-ob4en]

Excellent story! Thanks!

[@davisiovisualy]

❤️🌈🙏