Jonathan Harnum
I started playing trumpet 30 years ago in Sitka, Alaska and I can still say it's one of the best decisions I've made in my life. For the last decade I've focused intently on playing jazz and love exploring the unlimited possibilites of improvisation, in jazz or any other music. I play regularly with Meh!, a free improvisation group I started. I also am the leader, trumpet- and rhythm guitar player inVagaband, Gypsy Jazz group in Chicago.
I have several degrees in music education: a bachelor's degree from University of Oregon, a Master's degree from Northwestern University, and I'm currently a PhD canditate in music education (ABD), also at Northwestern, a leading institution in music performance, research and teacher education. My primary research interest is in practice, especially how masters have learned to do it effectively. Check my blog on the topic: The Practice of Practice.
My instruments are a Monette Bb trumpet (#504) with a B2 mouthpiece (also a B2SL) and a LeBlanc F357 flugelhorn, the Arturo Sandoval model. I just got a soprano trombone for my birthday and am having fun playing it badly. I love mutes. I also play guitar and own a Gretsch hollow-body electric and an acoutstic/electric Martin (EMP-1). I own/play four didgeridoos, one of bloodwood eucalyptus by the name of Blackwater, made and carved by an aboriginal artist, another cool-looking one made from fiberglass, one of yucca, and one of bamboo. My goal is to play nonstop (circular breathing) for an hour for the Worldwide Didj Meditation on the next solstice
I also dabble with small and large percussion instruments like tabla, conga, cabasa, shekere, one-shot, clave, triangle, agogo, and cajon. My dream instrument at the moment is a Hang drum.
I'm currently living in Chicago with my wife Michelle, and I can be found at music venues around the city, absorbing the sounds of Bobby Broom, Corey Wilkes, AACM, Nicole Mitchell, 8 Bold Souls, Lollapalooza, Chris Smither, Josh Ritter, and as many acts that come through town that I can afford. You might also see me surfing Lake Michigan....
