About

Harrison Argatoff is a Canadian tenor saxophonist and composer based in Toronto. A 2018 graduate of The University of Toronto’s jazz program, his music combines the study of jazz, classical, and free-improvised music to to cultivate a versatile, controlled, yet distinctly personal sound. Having grown up a Doukhobour, in the interior of British Columbia, teachings of pacifism, communal music making, and respect for life and nature deeply influence his personal and artistic endeavours.

“Somewhere between Bach, BL!NDMAN and Mark Turner.”
– Jazz Halo, by Georges Tonla Briquet

For upcoming concerts, please follow my social media pages on Facebook and Instagram

“Wishlow” – Valley Voice

Valley Voice is a Toronto-based contemporary jazz quartet led by tenor saxophonist and composer Harrison Argatoff. Created in fall of 2019, Valley Voice features Michael Davidson on vibraphone, Dan Fortin on bass, and Ian Wright on drums.

With this ensemble, Argatoff mixes composition and improvisation, blending his enthusiasm for a wide range of musical styles while invoking imagery from his upbringing in rural British Columbia.

Listen to the new album, Stars Engines

“39” – Ian McGimpsey and Harrison Argatoff

Ian McGimpsey and Harrison Argatoff are an acoustic guitar and tenor saxophone duo. Their music draws from both singer-songwriter and contemporary jazz idioms, and is the result of an intensely collaborative compositional process.

A pairing inspired primarily by Nick Drake and his album “Pink Moon”, McGimpsey and Argatoff focus on simplicity, honesty, and meaning. Their latest album, “Ontario 559 West“, is “a contemplative reminder of a life sadly lost, but also an unexpected pleasure, and from a most unusual source.” (JazzWeekly, by Simon Adams)

Teaching:

I have six years of private teaching experience, and enjoy teaching students of any age and skill level. I primarily teach saxophone technique, jazz music, and improvisation, but can also offer lessons focused on music theory, composition, and classical repertoire.

My rates are 60-minutes for $60, 45-minutes for $45, and 30-minutes for $30. I also like to schedule a (free) 15-minute phone/zoom call to meet and discuss our goals in advance of a first lesson.

I teach online or in-person in the Toronto area. For in-person lessons, I teach from a studio space near Dupont/Dufferin, or offer in-students’-homes lessons (with a $5-$15 travel fee, depending on distance).

Length:Rate:
1 hour$60
45 min$45
30 min$30

If you are interested, or have any questions, please be in touch via my teaching page.

Testimonials:

“Harrison has provided outstanding education, insight and pearls of musical wisdom over the two tears I have taken him on as my private teacher.  He is patient and understanding yet continually challenges me to be a better musician.  Above all, Harrison is a very positive person with a love for music and teaching. Harrison has inspired me to the point that I enrolled in a fulltime music program in college.  I continue to have twice weekly lessons with Harrison as he guides me through my journey in music.” -Irving, student for 2+ years

“At the age of 60, I had been playing for about 3 years, when I decided I wanted to improve playing Jazz music and aimed to be able to get a basic capacity to improvise on Jazz from the 1940’s to 1960’s. Over the past 2 years Harrison helped me greatly on all aspects of playing: embouchure, breathing, understanding of chord theory and structure, understanding and playing of scales, and listening to rhythm. I have achieved my initial basic objective, and continue to advance. Harrison is very knowledgeable, teaches in a very friendly, relaxed and interactive manner, and uses a helpful mixture of theory, exercises and practice songs. I should also mention that our lessons are on-line because we live more than 300 km apart, but this works well for me.” -Werner, student for 3+ years

Discs:

Click for more information!

Listen to the new album!
Stars, Engines by Valley Voice