Harry Francis Miedema III

Harry Miedema—saxophonist, educator, arranger, composer, and mentor—left an enduring mark on the worlds of jazz education and performance. He served as a professor in the Music Department at the University of Indianapolis from 1985 until his retirement in 2014 and founded the university’s Jazz Studies Program in 2000. In Harry’s own words, he was “always a teacher.” Whether in the classroom, on the stage or in everyday life, he found joy in sharing knowledge, encouraging others and helping people discover their potential.

A graduate of Lawrence Central High School, Harry earned performance and music education degrees from Indiana University, where he studied jazz with the legendary David Baker. During this period, he authored Jazz Styles and Analysis: Alto Saxophone, published by DownBeat Publications, and later co-authored Jazz Styles & Analysis: Clarinet with Bill Shepherd.

Following service in the United States Army, where he performed with the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, Harry embarked on an extraordinary professional career that spanned more than three decades. He performed and toured with many of the most celebrated names in R&B and popular music, including the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The Spinners, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Lou Rawls, and Natalie Cole.

From 1976 to 1998, Harry served as musical director and saxophonist for EMI recording artists The O’Jays. During his tenure, the group earned gold and platinum record honors, including a gold record for their 1991 album Emotionally Yours. His work with The O’Jays led to appearances on NBC’s Today Show, VH1’s Hard Rock Live, The Arsenio Hall Show, Oprah, Vibe, Sinbad’s Summer Jam, and other national television programs.

In Indianapolis, Harry was a first-call saxophonist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and a beloved fixture of the local jazz community. He led the popular jazz ensemble Deep 6 and founded the Bossa Rio Sextet, an all-star group known for its vibrant blend of jazz and Latin influences. He performed regularly at venues such as the Chatterbox and The Jazz Kitchen, helping to enrich Indianapolis’s thriving jazz scene.

A passionate educator, Harry directed the Circle City Jazz Camps for young musicians and dedicated himself to nurturing future generations of performers. Drawing upon his extensive professional network, he brought distinguished national and local artists to the University of Indianapolis for concerts, clinics, and master classes. He also wrote articles for the Indiana Musicator and hosted the weekly radio program How Jazz Works on WICR-FM 88.7, where he shared his love of jazz and made the music accessible to listeners of all backgrounds.

Harry’s dedication to music education was recognized with numerous honors throughout his career. In 2008, he was inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame. He later received the Indiana Outstanding Collegiate Music Educator Award in 2012 and was also named the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation’s Jazz Teacher of the Year. Upon retiring from the University of Indianapolis in 2014, he was granted the distinguished title of Professor Emeritus.

In retirement, Harry settled in Parrish, Florida, where his passion for music remained undiminished. He founded the Blue Heron Jazz Sextet, taught his popular “How Jazz Works” classes at local senior centers, and continued performing with the Jazz Ambassadors, a local big band. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or sharing stories about the music he loved, Harry remained an enthusiastic ambassador for jazz. When he wasn’t performing, teaching, or inspiring others through music, he could often be found enjoying a round of golf.

Harry is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his sons, Brent (Lisa) Miedema and Taylor French; grandsons Obie Jo French & Philip French; his sister, Dian Hatfield (Sunday Okafor). He was especially grateful for the close bond he shared with his niece, Robin (Tom) Martens, and his dear friend, Sophie Williams (née Faught). He was preceded in death by his mother, Cora Esther Miedema Anderson; his father, Harry Miedema; and his sister, Betty Peebles.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center on the campus of the University of Indianapolis. Family, friends, former students, and fellow musicians are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration beginning at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support a Jazz Scholarship at the University of Indianapolis. Gifts may be made online at https://getinvolved.uindy.edu/give - please select “Other” in the designation field and enter “Jazz Scholarship.” Checks may be made payable to the University of Indianapolis, with “Jazz Scholarship” noted in the memo line, and mailed to:

University of Indianapolis Office of Advancement 1400 East Hanna Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227