poster coming soon A joint venture with (click image for Merriman's Playhouse Page) Click here for this year's complete schedule. Older Volumes of Jazz at SBCRC may be found here Roger Harris with the Merrimans, Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM As a keyboard artist, Roger played behind jazz greats Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, James Carter and Orbert Davis. He also played behind R&B sensations Aretha Franklin, Melba Moore, Jean Karnes, Charelle, Angela Winbush, and The Jones Girls. Pianist Roger L. Harris is a native Chicagoan, whose musical talents were evident at an early age. He began his formal piano training at the age of 6. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in music education from Roosevelt University in Chicago, he taught band, orchestra, choir, general music and commercial music in various Illinois and Indiana school districts. Most recently, Roger accompanied award-winning actor Avery Brooks at the Gary, Indiana, anniversary gala. Roger also played a commissioned work with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, written in the Third stream jazz style. As an adjunct faculty member, Roger currently teaches at Roosevelt University, The American Conservatory of Music in Indiana, and recently taught at the City Colleges of Chicago. Roger is also a member of the jazz ensemble of The Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College in Chicago. Roger is also a jazz mentor for the Title 1 program, “Music Alive,” founded by jazz trumpeter Orbert Davis. He plays regularly at Sullivan’s Steak House in Chicago. Mary began her bass career in 1982, playing with various jazz and orchestral groups in Michigan. Mary studied privately at Central Michigan University, and was a member of several jazz ensembles, including the Faculty Jazz Band. Since relocating to South Bend, she has put her energy into the art of the jazz trio. Mary has been performing in the trio setting with her husband, Stephen, since 2001. Their trio’s name has gone through several evolutions before becoming The Merrimans. These include, Portraits In Jazz, The Marian Emery Trio, and The Standards Trio. Stephen, playing professionally since 1978, has worked in a variety of musical genres from reggae to rock to jazz, in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, New York City, San Diego, and Boulder, Colorado. Some of his credits include the Boulder Jazz Improvisation Group, Chiaroscuro, and the piano and drum duo, The Great Leap, based in New York City. Since returning to South Bend, Stephen has focused solely on jazz, and has played with the jazz groups, Random Elements, Apogeebop, and currently The Merrimans. Return to DavidBanga.com Email David if you are having trouble with this page.