Trent Harris

Audience Expectations

Audiences who come to see me can expect to see a jazz musician - someone who has studied for many years in order to assimilate the jazz tradition and develop his own unique voice interpreting that tradition in the light of his experience. A jazz musician is someone who aims to express through his music the experience of life, in all its manifestations from angst, depression, and despair through hope, excitement, and joy. Jazz is a performance art reflecting the variety of human experience.

My Playing and Performance Style

My saxophone playing is influenced heavily by classical, blues, Motown, and funk, and thus when people come to see me they hear these elements come together through my personality. I try to share my energy and enthusiasm for the music with my bandmates and the audience, so that everyone who takes part feels connected to the music and moved by the experience.

Client Expectations

Clients who book me can expect a professional musician - someone who is on time (early!), is prepared, looks the part, and who is constantly attentive to the client, the room, and the audience for what is needed musically, and energy-wise, from moment to moment.

When I book a gig I talk to the client about what kind of mood and setting the client wants - for example, what role are you looking for music to play your event? Some clients wish for music to be the focus of the event, with the musicians commanding the audience's attention and putting on a show. Whereas other clients wish for music to be the background for the event, with the musicians simply setting a mood and staying out of the way. I am very experienced and comfortable operating at all points of spectrum.

Once these expectations are understood, I assemble a group of musicians and put together a music set list for the event which will fit the client's needs. Then, the day of the event I pay special attention to arriving plenty early to set up and take care of any last-minute changes, beginning and ending our music on schedule, accommodating any special requests that may come up during the gig, and going with the flow and helping everybody have a good time.

Trent Harris is a jazz saxophonist from Jackson, Michigan, who plays throughout the State of Michigan. Having played his first professional jazz gig at the age of 15, Trent has enjoyed sharing his passion for jazz with audiences for over 25 years. Trent lived in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL over the span of ten years, during which time he soaked up their music scenes and gained valuable experience studying and playing with local musicians in each city. Since returning home to Michigan in 2009, Trent has become a fixture on the Michigan professional music scene. Trent performs regularly with a number of bands throughout Michigan, including but not limited to the Dr. Professor Leonard King Orchestra, the Metro Detroit Jazz Orchestra, the Paul Keller Orchestra, the Jackson Jazz Ensemble Big Band, Big Foot Bob and the Toe Tappers, Mainstreet Soul, the Rhythm Ramblers, and groups led under Trent's own name.

The first and most important thing my groups need is adequate space in which to play. We need a hard, level floor or stage to set up on. At a minimum, I suggest the following for size:
jazz duo: 8' x 8' area or equivalent
jazz trio: 10' x 10' area or equivalent
jazz quartet: 12' x 12' area or equivalent
jazz quintet: 15' x 15' area or equivalent

The second thing we need is access to power. My groups can make do with a minimum of one (1) 15A polarized and grounded wall receptacle within 6 feet of the performance area. Two (2) 15A or 20A receptacles would be ideal. (note: 15A means a 15-amp service; a polarized and grounded receptacle is also known as a 3-prong outlet). If there is no receptacle close to the performance area, the client should provide a 3-prong extension cord of sufficient length to bring power to the stage.