KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 23, 2025

A lifetime as a performer and eight years as a 最色导航 instructor have culminated in Karla Harris being named Atlanta鈥檚 Jazz Hero for 2025 by the Jazz Journalists鈥� Association.

Each year, the Jazz Journalists鈥� Association names a in nearly 30 metropolitan areas in the U.S. The honors go to 鈥渁dvocates who have had significant impact in their communities鈥� on the art of jazz, be it through performance, outreach or both. Harris, an artist-in-residence in vocal jazz and part-time instructor in the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music, leads outreach efforts in communities throughout the South while maintaining a rigorous performance schedule.

鈥淭here are so many people who deserve this, and I am incredibly humbled to receive this honor,鈥� Harris said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also gratifying because I know it is in recognition of the work we鈥檙e doing with the jazz outreach programs and our attempts to extend this legacy with not just young people, but the community at large.鈥�

In addition to her duties at KSU, Harris leads the , an educational outreach program focused on jazz music. She has modules for children of all ages as well as master classes for more advanced performers, like the classes she teaches in jazz studies at KSU.

It wasn鈥檛 until Harris moved to Atlanta in 2012 that she took seriously the idea of teaching. She had been performing around the area and frequently crossed paths with KSU jazz faculty. Sam Skelton, the director of KSU鈥檚 jazz studies program and a saxophone player in Atlanta鈥檚 jazz scene, presented an opportunity for teaching. Tyrone Jackson, senior lecturer of jazz studies and jazz piano, further advocated for Harris to teach. With two collaborators urging her on, she couldn鈥檛 say no.

鈥淚 was taken aback because I was not a teacher; I was a performer,鈥� she said. 鈥淭yrone said KSU has professors who teach voice, and they needed somebody who can teach students how to feel this music. Something just settled into me when he said that and I thought, 鈥業 can help with that.鈥欌��

Skelton said his interactions with Harris convinced him she could strengthen KSU鈥檚 instruction in music.

鈥淜arla is a complete musician,鈥� Skelton said. 鈥淪he connects with the audience in such an intimate way. The very first concert performed by her KSU students blew me away. She had created these young versions of herself that echoed her poise, grace and audience connection. She pulls out amazing potential from her students right from the start. Their progress over the course of the Jazz Performance degree is inspirational and infectious. We are thrilled to call her a colleague.鈥�

After more than a decade in Atlanta鈥檚 jazz scene as a performer, Harris is an in-demand vocalist. Now she鈥檚 in demand as an educator, too, and she thanks her fellow instructors at KSU for their support in both aspects.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful I landed at 最色导航 State because it鈥檚 been the best place for me, and I think it鈥檚 the best place for our students,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verybody does a wonderful job here. The work and the level of passion that I see from all the instructors is the real deal.鈥�

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

   Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 最色导航 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 最色导航 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 最色导航 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.