Good Vibes & Conversation with vibraphonists Jason Marsalis and Greg Tanner Harris

NEA Jazz Master Jason Marsalis is visiting Denver with vocalist Vanisha Gould this month. We thought it would be fun to bring Colorado vibraphonist Greg Tanner Harris into the conversation, and we’d sit back and watch them chop it up. They delivered, with insight, humor, and a camaraderie that working percussionists share. Greg and Jason covered the importance of “jazz talk” (Jason’s Instagram commentaries are blowing up @jasonmarsalis), lessons from Lionel Hampton, 2 mallet vs. 4 mallet technique, and classical influences. They unpacked the story behind Jason’s arrangements of Brian Wilson's music (yes, that Beach Boy). And they touched on the nuances of a vibraphonist playing with a vocalist like Vanisha Gould.