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