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The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times
The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times

Music

A jazzy opening

Stan Strickland
Stan Strickland. Photo by Ralph Stewart

By Julian Wise - August 9, 2007

For the last 25 years, guitarist/ composer Joel Harrison and saxophone virtuoso Stan Strickland have maintained a dynamic musical relationship. The two will collaborate at Outerland, opening for The Wood Brothers and Dr. Dog.

Harrison graduated with a bachelor's degree in composition from Bard College in 1980 and has spent the past decades honing his unique fusion of jazz, classical, blues, and R&B. His recent records "Free Country," "Harrison on Harrison," and "Harbor" have won critical accolades and industry awards for their tasteful arrangements and skillful playing. He has performed worldwide at music festivals and composed film scores for HBO, A&E, the History Channel, and other media outlets. On his recent album, "Harbor," he performs with internationally acclaimed guitarist Nguyen Le.

Joel Harrison
Joel Harrison.

Stan Strickland is known for his warmth and magnanimity both on and off the stage. Professionally, he has opened for Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, toured South Africa with the Village People, and performed with Take Six and the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. He has acted on stage and performed musical accompaniments for choreographers Alvin Ailey, Jose Limon, and Bill T. Jones. He is profiled in the upcoming documentary "Black Man Up" alongside Blair Burton and Lamar Burton, and he performed at the Sundance Film Festival for the premier of the Academy Award-winning documentary "Born Into Brothels." Mr. Strickland has a Masters Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley College where he teaches, as well as at Berklee College of Music, Tufts University, and the Longy School of Music. He is co-executive director of Express Yourself, a team of artists working with adolescents in mental health residential facilities to create collaborative performance pieces. His recent jazz vocal disc "Love & Beauty" was released on Hawkline Records in 2005. The fusion of his talents with Mr. Harrison's promises to be a powerful and memorable musical experience.

Stan Strickland and Joel Harrison, 9:30 pm, Friday, August 10, Outerland, Airport Rd., Edgartown. $25. Tickets available by calling 508-693-1137 or visiting outerlandmv.com.

Julian Wise is a contributing writer to The Times.