Harrison Jazz Ensemble performed in the WUSF Studio. Pianist and songwriter Roger Harrison played several original pieces while musicians from the Al Downing Association Henry Ashwood, Ron Gregg, and Valentyn Korniienko.

Tracks:

1. My Living Dream Come True

2. Lost Love

3. Miles, Byrd, Duke, Trane

Personnell:

Roger Harrison - piano

Henry Ashwood Jr. - saxophone

Ron Gregg - drums

Valentyn Korniienko - bass

Bios:

Roger Harrison

Roger Harrison started playing piano at age 9 and continued with private lessons and college study, where he studied exclusively classical music. He was always intrigued by jazz and began listening to great artists like Wes Montgomery. From there, a desire to learn to improvise was born. Years of specialized jazz training followed, and eventually, he formed a group and began performing for paid gigs in Los Angeles. As he progressed, he discovered he also had talent as a composer and wrote songs not only for his group but also for a movie. 

After he moved to the Tampa/St. Pete area in 2014, Roger created the Harrison Jazz Ensemble and now performs regularly in hotels, concerts, and private events.

Henry Ashwood Jr.

Henry Ashwood Jr. has an extensive background in music as a Performer, Composer, Producer and Inventor. He has provided private tutoring for the saxophone, flute, and clarinet and music theory. He has provided group instruction in music appreciation, history, and theory to various age groups.

He is a professional Jazz Artist, respected and in-demand for performance throughout the Tampa Bay area and Central Florida. He is a jazz combo leader and frequent soloist at local nightclubs. He has been on the radio and television and produced the “NEUTRAL ZONE” compact disc recording.

Henry Ashwood Jr. performed for twenty four years as a saxophone player in military bands in the UnitedStates, Europe and South America. He recently retired from the 13th Army National Guard Band stationed in Miami, FL. He has an Associate degree from Barton County Community College and has also studied in the music departments at Kansas State and the University of South Florida.

Ron Gregg

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Ronald Gregg began his interest in music as a self-taught drummer enhancing his skills as he became more skilled by learning from music teachers at 16th Street Junior High School and Gibbs High School. Prof. Reynold Davis encouraged Ronald as he became a proficient percussionist with the Gibbs High School Band.

After graduating from high school, Ron was called to serve in the U. S. Army and after basic training he qualified to attend the Naval School of Music (Army element) at Little Creek, Virginia and received musical instruction as a percussionist. He was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado where he played in the U. S. Army Band.

After his enlistment, Ron played his first gig as a professional musician with the Phil Flowers Blues Band  in Washington, D.C. When returning to St. Petersburg, he played with the phenomenal Al Downing  for several years and then went “on the road” with The Funk Bunch and Faith, Hope & Charity.  Back in his hometown again, Ron was employed by Johnson & Johnson/Extracorporeal and played evenings with “Brother Jack McDuff”and then had a 20-year musical relationship with the Ricky Lyons Jazz Trio.

Valentyn Korniienko

Valentyn Korniienko was born in Kharkov (Ukraine), received his musical education in Kharkov, and then in Kyiv. Known in Ukraine as a jazz double bassist, as well as a music teacher, transcriber, arranger and composer.  He performed with all famous Ukrainian jazzmen, as well as with musicians from Europe and America, such as Randy Brecker, Joel Holmes, Benito Gonzalez, Tommy Emmanuel and others.

You can learn more about Roger and the Harrison Jazz Ensemble at theharrisonjazzensemble.com and rogerharrisonmusic.com  

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