Harris, Barry (Doyle) (Detroit, 15 Dec 1929)

Pianist

He began studying piano at the age of four, and was strongly influenced by Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker. While still living in Detroit he worked frequently with Thad Jones, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, Wardell Gray, and Max Roach. By 1956 his reputation as a perfomer and articulate teacher of bop was such that visiting artists from New York and elsewhere frequently sought him out for his musical insights and camaraderie. He joined Cannonball Adderley's quintet in 1960 and soon afterwards moved to New York, where he performed and recorded with such musicians as Dexter Gordon, Illinois Jacquet, Yusef Lateef, and Hank Mobley. From 1965 to 1969 he had a productive association with Coleman Hawkins, and from time to time he also led his own groups. In 1982 he opened the Jazz Cultural Center, where he has been active as a teacher.

Harris is unquestionably the foremost exponent of the music of Powell, Tadd Dameron, and Monk, and is one of the few jazz musicians of the late 20th century who can teach and play the music with equal clarity. Among his compositions are Luminescence, Like this!, Even Steven, and Nicaragua.

Selected Recordings

 As leader: The Barry Harris Trio: Breakin' it up (1958, Argo 644); Luminescence! (1967, Prestige 7498), including Even Steven, Like this!, Luminescence, Nicaragua; Barry Harris Plays Tadd Dameron (1975, Xanadu 113); Live in Tokyo (1976, Xanadu 130)

 As sideman: C. Adderley: Them Dirty Blues (1960, Riverside 1170); S. Stitt: Constellation (1972, Cobblestone 9021)

Bibliography

 M. Gardner: "Barry Harris," Jazz Monthly, no.151 (1967), 28; no.153 (1967), 31; no.154 (1967), 31; no.155 (1968), 31 [discography]

 "Barry Harris," Swing Journal, xxx/4 (1976), 80 [discography]

 A. Lowe: "Barry Harris," Down Beat, xliv/13 (1977), 18

 B. Rusch: "Barry Harris: Interview," Cadence, iii/7-8 (1977), 18

 B. Primack and R. Dubin: "Detroit's Triple Gift to the Jazz Piano World," Contemporary Keyboard, v/12 (1979), 12

 C. Jennings: "Barry Harris: Autumn Vision," Jazz Spotlite News, ii/2 (1980-81), 35

 J. Saunders: "Barry Harris Ensemble: an Eloquent Be-bop Voice," Jazz Spotlite News, ii/2 (1980-81), 36

 L. Feather: "Piano Giants of Jazz: Barry Harris," Contemporary Keyboard, vii/1 (1981), 54

 M. Bourne: "Barry Harris: Keeper of the Bebop Flame," Down Beat, lii/9 (1985), 26 [including discography]

 Bill Dobbins

The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, © Macmillan Reference Ltd 1988

xreferences

1. Dobbins, Bill

The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz

adjacent entries

Harrington, John (David) (Denver, 23 May 1910)

Harriott, Joe (Arthurlin) (Kingston, Jamaica, 15 July 1928 - London, 2 Jan 1973)

Harris

Harris, Barry (Doyle) (Detroit, 15 Dec 1929)

Harris, Beaver [William Godvin] (Pittsburgh, PA, 20 April 1936 - New York, 22 Dec 1991)

Harris, Bill [Willard Palmer] (i) (Philadelphia, 28 Oct 1916 - Hallandale, FL, 21 Aug 1973)

Harris, Bill [Willie] (ii) (Nashville, NC, 14 April 1925 - Washington, DC, 6 Dec 1988)

feedback | testimonials | title list | newsletter

add xrefer to your browser | add xrefer to your site

© 2001 xrefer.com. All rights reserved.