SPH Awarded a 2026 John Stites Jazz Award

Stephen Philip Harvey named one of the winners of the 2026 John Stites Jazz Awards in support of his upcoming compositional project Canvas.

Stephen Harvey’s project is to compose an orchestral jazz suite for symphonic jazz orchestra, which he plans to premiere in 2028. The goal is to create a seven-movement suite inspired by a survey of African American and African diaspora visual artists. During the composition process, Harvey plans to study with composer Miho Hazama. Harvey believes that the new composition skills he will develop will allow him to better serve all of his ensembles through study, supporting symphonic collaboration, and continuing his focus on reconnecting his audiences with African American culture.