Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey has named Jeff Harshbarger its new double bassist. Harshbarger replaces Matt Hayes, who has played in JFJO since Reed Mathis left to focus on Tea Leaf Green. According to the band, “Residing in Kansas City Harshbarger is a prolific composer and bandleader in his own right, and has recorded and performed across the globe with a variety of musicians from the likes of Bobby Watson and Curtis Fuller to good mutual friends Mike Dillon and Mark Southerland. Thanks to Matt Hayes for an wonderful 15 months of music, we wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors.”

Harshbarger’s first shows with JFJO will take place this Saturday, April 17. The group will make in-store appearances at Tulsa, OK’s Starship Records and Norman, OK’s Guestroom Records in support of its 7” vinyl single “The Sensation of Seeing Light.”