Jazz clarinetist Harry Skoler was born in Syracuse, NY in 1956. Harry is Professor of Woodwinds at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee in 1978, and a Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory in 1986, where he studied with legendary jazz great Jimmy Giuffre. His recordings include Conversations in the Language of Jazz, Reflections on the Art of Swing – A Tribute to Benny Goodman, A Work of Heart on Brownstone Recordings, and Two Ones on Soliloquy Records.
He has authored articles on jazz education, including a “Pro-Workshop” article in Downbeat magazine, and has been included with a biography and philosophy of artistry in Gianluca Campagnolo’s Volume 10 Method Book for Clarinet, which features bios and tips from many of today’s prominent clarinetists. In 2005 Harry contributed to a clarinet method book by Vandoren and published by Carl Fischer entitled The Vandoren Etude & Exercise Book for Clarinet-The Secrets of Ten Master Clarinetists.
In 2007 Harry contributed to a jazz saxophone method book by Vandoren and published by Carl Fischer entitled the vandojazz ETUDE AND EXERCISE BOOK FOR SAXOPHONE – THE SECRETS OF TEN MASTER SAXOPHONISTS. He has garnered numerous national and international reviews, including reviews in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz among others. Cover features include Strictly Jazz, Jazz Quarterly, Northeast Performer, and Jazz Now magazines – and bio/reviews in AMG’s All Music Guide to Jazz book. He has been “charted” for national radio airplay on Gavin Magazine’s Jazz Chart, and in April 2000, he charted at #8! on Jazziz magazine’s Top 40 “Radioactive” chart. Performances include national jazz clubs and festivals, including performances at the Blue Note in NYC, and tours in Costa Rica, Japan and Norway.
In addition to touring with his group, Harry reaches thousands of young people each year with the educational ensemble “Adventures With Jazz”. Harry has been featured on many national radio interviews and on the nationally televised BET program “Jazz Discovery”. Endorsements include Buffet Group USA, Vandoren Reeds, Mouthpieces, and Accessories, and Applied Microphone Technology, Inc. He lives in Haverhill, MA with his wife Joanne, and children Daniel, Amelia, and Gianna.