Instruments:

• Trombone (any level)

• Piano (beginner and jazz)

• Voice (beginner and intermediate)

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from WWU - Trombone w/Minor in Jazz Studies

Skills/Specialized Training:

• Music Theory

• Jazz

• Ear Training

• Improvisation

• Gigging Experience

Bio:

Samuel Harris grew up playing trombone/piano and singing in the small town of Boerne, Texas, and began performing professionally at age 12 with The Boerne Village Band. At 14, he received first chair trombone in the ATSSB (All-Texas Small School Bands) Jazz Band and held that position until graduating in 2018. While in highschool, he received national recognition through the Quincy Jones Musicianship Award and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. Harris then studied Music Performance at Western Washington University where he participated in the jazz combos, played Lead Trombone for WWU Big Band 1, and was the principle trombone for the WWU Symphony Orchestra. After graduating in 2023, Harris started Bellingham’s only independent music collective: The Problem LLC. The main mission of The Problem LLC is to help college students become involved in the gigging scene in Bellingham, and to give young musicians an opportunity to work with experienced musicians and make connections. Sam is deeply dedicated to teaching voice, piano and trombone with a specialty in jazz and commercial music.

Influences:

Wayne Shorter, JJ Johnson, Lee Morgan, Joe Alessi, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Ray Anderson, Fred Wesley, Sonny Stitt