Urbanus, the new release by vibraphonist-composer Stefon Harris, signifies his 7th album as a band leader and his Concord Records debut. The new album picks up where 2004’s Evolution left off in that it features Blackout, his scintillating ensemble that’s as versed in modern jazz as it is with rhythms, melodies and soundscapes associated with R&B, pop, hip-hop and funk.

The Grammy-nominated musician has been hailed as "one of the most important young artists in jazz" (Los Angeles Times), and is widely recognized by both peers and critics alike for his innovative compositions, blazing new paths on the vibraphone and marimba. On Urbanus, Stefon Harris and Blackout display a deeper group rapport as well as a more expansive sonic palette as Marc Cary complements the acoustic piano with Fender Rhodes, alto saxophonist Casey Benjamin lends his captivating vocoder work to the proceeding and there’s Terreon Gully on drums and Ben Williams on bass. Harris’s brilliance at broadening textures and colors comes to play with his sensational woodwind and string arrangements on a few of the compositions as well. "One of the biggest indicators of our growth as a band is the level of contribution from all the members of the ensemble," Harris enthuses. "The music not only incorporates all of our writing but everyone’s cultural backgrounds as well."

Recorded just a few days before the historic presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, Urbanus sparkles with optimism, ingenuity and emotional immediacy. "How could it not?" Harris says when asked if the anticipating for the inauguration had an impact on the sessions. "Being in the studio, knowing that we were getting ready for the inauguration of the first African-American president – how could that not change my life? I was extremely inspired and that created a great feeling of audacity and some fantastic energy."

Harris translated his inspiration of these exciting events into songs that are full of life and energy. One of them, "Gone," is a pulsating polyrhythm of go-go, a sound indicative to Washington, D.C.’s urban landscape. Another vivacious track is "For You," which was co-written by Benjamin and Sameer Gupta and provides the perfect example of how Blackout balances the worlds of the acoustic with the electric. To top it off, the album also includes a fantastic makeover of Stevie Wonder’s early-’70s song "They Won’t Go (When I Go)" from Wonder’s 1974 LP, Fullfillingness’ First Finale and "Langston’s Lullaby," a spellbinding ballad dedicated to Harris’s newborn infant, Langston.

Tour Dates
September 7 - Detroit Jazz Festival - Detroit, MI
October 7-10 - Jazz Bakery - Los Angeles, CA
October 13-14 - Jazz Alley - Seattle, WA
October 16-17 - The Outpost - Albuquerque, NM
October 22-25 - Dizzy’s, JALC - NYC
October 30 - Spivey Hall - Morrow, GA
November 5-8 - Chicago Jazz Showcase - Chicago, IL
November 14 - KC Club, Kennedy Center - Washington, DC
November 22 - Leighton Concert Hall - Notre Dame, IN
Dec 2-6 - Concert/Live TV Taping WRGB-TV - Albany, NY

January 30, 2010 - University of Missouri - Kansas City, MO
January 31, 2010 - Murry’s - Columbia, MO
February 1, 2010 - Solo Clinic-University of Missouri Kansas City, MO