Jazz @ COM

Sparky's Jazz Express, 2005

The Jazz Ensemble was organized at College of the Mainland in the year 1972 under the direction of Robert Eager. Dr. Tom Arvidson directed from 1974-80. The Jazz Combo (1987) and the Community Concert Band (Fall 1996) was organized by Harry Koerner, better known as “Sparky.” See our Jazz @ COM Album.

Sparky came to COM in 1980 looking for a place to perform while working as Jazz Artist-in-Residence for then Galveston County Community Arts Center, currently called Galveston Arts Center. He then took over duties of directing the Jazz Ensemble part time in 1981. He has worked full time in College of the Mainland’s Music Department since the Fall of 1983. 

The  Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and the Community Concert Band are all under the direction of Harry “Sparky” Koerner.  He received international recognition when he directed the International Association of Jazz Educators Community College All Star Jazz Ensemble at the 1996 I.A.J.E. Conference in Atlanta, Ga. and served as Community College Resource Chair for I.A.J.E. for 18 years.

Featured artists who have performed with COM include:

Doc Severinsen, Diane Schuur, Tom "Bones" Malone, Mike Steinel, Will Campbell, John Adams, Marvin Stamm, Bill Mays, Tony Campise, Dr. Bill Lee, Jack Petersen, Mike Vax, Kathy Kosins, Larry Ham, Ron Wilkins, Johnny Gonzales and Robert “Doc” Morgan.

Jazz Ensemble Honors
The jazz ensemble performed at the 2011 Jazz Educator Network Conference in St. Louis, MO and at the 2013 Jazz Educators Network Conference in Atlanta, GA, these performances are by audition invitation.

The group has received 1st place honors at various jazz festivals throughout the state of Texas. These festivals include: The Gulf Coast Inter-Colligate College Jazz Festival, The Sam Houston State University Jazz Festival, and the Hill Country Jazz Festival at Texas State University, the Lamar University Jazz Festival and the Island Jazz Festival at Texas A & M Corpus Christi University.

Over 72 awards have been received by performers in the groups for outstanding musicianship and outstanding jazz soloist throughout the years. 16 musicians from the ensemble have auditioned and won opportunities to perform with the International Association for Jazz Education Community College All Star Jazz Ensemble and the Texas Community College Directors Association All State Jazz Ensemble.

More COM History
See all currently available COM History LibGuide for more COM History.

Let Us Know!
We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to help us identify events or individuals in our photos. Just make sure to include the URL (web address) of the photo when sending information. Please contact Tillie Henson at (409) 933-8205 or email Thenson@com.edu.