UCLA Fall Jazz Concert 2

Charley Harrison, composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor, and guitarist, has been the Director of the UCLA Jazz Orchestra since 2004. He also became the Inaugural Conductor and Artistic Director of the Hollywood Jazz Orchestra in 2023.

His compositions and arrangements have been performed by some of the biggest names in jazz including: Kenny Burrell, Clark Terry, Marcus Miller, Freddy Cole, Kurt Elling, Cedar Walton, Joe Williams, The Count Basie Orchestra, and The Audio Network. Harrison’s 2006 CD, Keeping My Composure, received critical acclaim, and appeared on the JazzWeek radio charts for 13 consecutive weeks. Charley has previously served as conductor of the Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra, as well as Associated Artistic Director of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.

Prior to joining the UCLA Faculty, Harrison worked as a composer and orchestrator on several film projects after spending 10 years working as a composer/producer in Chicago’s advertising community, where he created music for such clients as McDonald’s and The Chicago White Sox.

M.M., Composition, Northwestern University; B.M., Arranging and Orchestration, Northwestern University; Berklee College of Music

Born in Cuba in 1985, Alberto has dedicated his musical career to performing with esteemed artists such as Jose Luis Cortes, Chucho Valdes, and Omara Portuondo. As the bassist for the groundbreaking Cuban supergroup NG La Banda, he had the privilege of recording the award-winning album “Mis 22 años.”

Since relocating to the United States in 2011, Alberto has consistently expanded his musical horizons, exploring the intersection of acoustic and electronic music within the jazz and Afro-Cuban genres. His innovative approach incorporates cutting-edge looping technology, resulting in a diverse repertoire that includes soulful bass solos and the low-end support for his bands.

The Cuban Bass Tumbao, an ambitious project that aims to comprehensively explore the history of bass in Afro-Cuban genres and rhythms, has been the contribution to the academic arena. This comprehensive study delves into the evolution of the bass as an instrument and the development of bass lines within Afro-Cuban music. Additionally, it encompasses various Afro-Cuban arrangement styles, solo techniques, and a profound understanding of playing in conjunction with the clave.

Alberto’s global travels have honed his musical talents, enabling him to perform across a diverse range of genres. His deep musicality and technical proficiency have made him a sought-after collaborator, drawing inspiration from Cuban traditional music while incorporating elements of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Brazilian, and Pop music. Throughout these diverse styles, Alberto’s distinctive voice stands out, characterized by its clarity, beauty, and unwavering uniqueness. 

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance is a tuition-free two-year program that accepts one ensemble of musicians for each class. All of the students receive full scholarships, as well as stipends to cover their monthly living expenses. The students study both individually and as a small group, receiving personal mentoring, ensemble coaching, and lectures on the jazz tradition. They are also encouraged to experiment in expanding jazz in new directions through their compositions and performances. The program is currently in residence at the prestigious UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.

The Institute of Jazz Performance students and instructors present a number of major concerts and community outreach programs throughout the United States and overseas. International highlights include performances and teaching engagements at the White House; at annual International Jazz Day programs in Saint Petersburg, Russia; Havana, Cuba; Melbourne, Sydney and Mt. Gambier, Australia; at the celebration commemorating the 40th anniversary of the coronation of the King of Thailand, the 1998 Summit of the Americas in Chile before 34 heads of state, the United Nations “Day of Philosophy” event in Paris sponsored by UNESCO, and the Tokyo Jazz Festival. The students have also participated in tours of Argentina, China, Egypt, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Vietnam and, most recently, Jordan with Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock.