Donald Harrison [Archive] - Sax on the Web Forum

Leotomcov

02-06-2003, 12:55 PM

This post is both a comment and a question about Donald Harrison. I just started listening to him and I am love with his alto sound, style and approach. I have heard very little about him here...assuming he is underrated. Question for anyone from the New Orleans area (Im thinking of Steve Goodson here)...Does Donald play alot around there, and how well known/received is he?

Any other comments on Harrison's playing, recordings would be much appreciated.

Jonah

08-09-2003, 08:46 AM

Been listening to him a lot on his Impulse release (can't remember the title). Great sound!!! I always get inspired listening to his tone. Makes me want to play more alto. And man, the ballad on that album, the one by Bill Lee, is so beautiful. Love the way Donald plays that ballad.

jonah
jonahminton.com
marriedcoupletheband.com

Funky Chicken

08-09-2003, 09:49 AM

I saw him live last year playing with billy cobham and ron carter.. a GREAT player. I didnt expected to see a good sax player and he really stole the show.

Toni Linder

08-14-2003, 04:37 PM

Great player, big chops, quicksilver lines ... I like his "Nouveau Swing" CD very much (I'm not sure about the name, I'm quoting from memory).

Harrison used to play with the Jazz Messengers. He seems to be deeplly rooted in NO, LA. His sound and his writing shows he knows the tradition. But he also explores new roads.

Leotomcov

10-25-2003, 02:26 AM

I've been listening to Him alot lately. Harrison has a full, smooth, sweet tone that I like even better than Kenny Garrett. His tone reminds me of Greg Osby even though they both play very different types of jazz.

His chops are first rate...but like Cannonball, he doesn't forget melody in his improvisations. I don't hear much about this guy. He's one of my favourite jazz altoists.

Smokin' Joe

10-29-2003, 08:55 PM

I saw Donald Harrison in 1981, at Berklee when he won a very prestigious jazz award(can't remember which one). He was playing with Howard McGee, Sonny Stitt and Roy Haynes...Roy was running late from the airport, so they got Terri-Lynne Carrington who was 17 yrs old at the time to sub for him. She was amazing. Every so often Sonny and Howard would look at each other while Donald was playing and nod their heads in approval of his skill. That was a concert I'll always remember. I'm sure it's one Donald will never forget as well.