An Interview with Stefon Harris

KIOS | By Chris Cooke

Published February 21, 2020 at 2:57 PM CST

Internationally acclaimed vibraphonist Stefon Harris is returning to the Omaha area for a series of performances in February. Harris will perform with his band at the 1200 Club at the Holland Performing Arts Center on February 28th at 7:30pm. He will also hit the stage with the UNO Jazz Band on February 29th at the Holland Performing Arts Center, as part of the annual UNO Jazz Festival.

Harris spoke with Jazz in the Afternoon host Chris Cooke in 2006. In a wide ranging intervew, the vibraphonist discussed his approach to his chosen instrument as well as elements of music and the artists who influenced him.

Chris Cooke

Chris Cooke has been a voice on radio in Omaha since 1988. While at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he studied radio broadcasting, history and religion. Working at KVNO-FM, Cooke hosted a weekend adventuresome jazz show on the station in addition to duties as an on-air announcer on overnights, weekends and holidays. He also worked at KBLZ (the then student-run radio station) as well as KYNE-TV, and The Gateway as a reporter.
In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has also hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music. He has interviewed Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, David Liebman, Airto Moreira, Jessica Williams and Karrin Allyson, to name a few. While not at the station Cooke maintains a web design consultancy business that has served a number of non-profit and music clients for over 20 years.

See stories by Chris Cooke