Harley White Sr., born and raised in Oakland, California, sang in local church choirs, and played classical music in the all-city high school orchestra on tuba and string bass. After high school, Harley played in jazz bands and concert marching bands while serving in the United States Air Force in the early 1960's. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master's of Arts degree in Music Education from Cal State University East Bay. After graduation from college, he began his teaching career, serving as a music educator for 25 years before retiring from teaching in 1999. For 10 years, Harley served as the Music program and Band Director at Alvarado Middle School in Union City, and later as a Music Director for high school choir, concert band and orchestra. He also served as a Lecturer at Holy Names College in Oakland, California, taught Jazz History at Laney Community College in Oakland, California, and taught string bass master classes at San Francisco State University. Harley was as an elected public official and served for 6 years on the Peralta Community College District 7-member Board of Trustees. He served as Vice President of the board, and chair of the district's Facilities and Architect Committee, overseeing several facilities contracts. As a result of his time on the board Harley received several awards and commendations for his outstanding service as trustee. Known for his vocal and jazz bass performances, Mr. White has performed with many jazz legends including Earl "Fatha" Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Abby Lincoln, Max Roach, Jon Hendricks, Red Holloway, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Dizzy Gillespie, Margie Baker, Buddy Montgomery, Tom Harrel, Ed Kelley, John Faddis, Benny Carter, Mary Stallings, Bobby Hutcherson, John Handy, Ernestine Anderson and Tony Bennett to name a few. In 1968-1969, he toured worldwide playing the bass guitar with the Edwin Hawkins Singers (the gold record hit "Oh Happy Day"), and in the mid-seventies, he toured worldwide playing the string bass with Earl "Fatha" Hines. His tuba performances included the Oakland and San Francisco Park Bands. He was a featured tuba soloist for the opening of the South San Francisco Bart Station at Colma, San Francisco - Oakland Ferry Boat Weddings and for several years with the San Francisco 49er Football Team Band, and A's Baseball Team Band. Harley also played string bass with the Oakland Symphony. In his retirement, Harley has continued to serve as a music mentor and private teacher to many musicians. He has created an internet book club with a virtual library. He is now studying piano.
