Donald Harrison - The Ballads (2009)

"Mr. Harrison turned out to be one of the most musicologically literate jazz players to come out in ages." ~ New York Times. 

"Donald Harrison Jr. … the most interesting, most accessible, and most talented musician in the country right now." ~ East Bay Express. 

"… one of the more innovative bandleaders New Orleans has produced in the past 20 years." ~ Chicago Tribune. 

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Nagel Heyer Records, CD 9010, 2009
Recorded 2001 - 2008 in New York City and New Orleans 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet (#1,2,5,6,7)
Mulgrew Miller - Piano (#5,6,7)
Eric Reed - Piano (#1,2)
Victor Gould - Piano (#8,9)
Jesse McBride - Piano (#10)
Ron Carter - Bass (#3,4)
Vicente Archer - Bass (#1,2)
Luques Curtis - Bass (#5,6,7)
Max Moran - Bass (#8,9,10)
John Lamkin - Drums (#1,2,5,6,7)
Billy Cobham - Drums (#3,4)
Joseph Dyson - Drums (#8,9,10) 

Tracks:
01. Strange Day {Eric Reed} (7:46)
02. Swept From The Sea {John Lamkin} (5:31)
03. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (8:12)
04. Candlelight {Ron Carter} (6:33)
05. Summertime {George Gershwin} (9:28)
06. Cool Breeze {Donald Harrison} (5:20)
07. Sincerely Yours {Donald Harrison} (9:26)
08. They Can't Take That Away From Me {George & Ira Gershwin} (5:46)
09. If I Were A Bell {Frank Loesser} (6:32)
10. To Nola With Love {Donald Harrison} (9:49) 

Total Time: 74:23 

Notes:
#1,2 - Real Life Stories (2002) Nagel Heyer [2022]
#3,4 - Heroes (2004) Nagel Heyer [2041]
#5,6,7 - Survivor (2006) Nagel Heyer [2068]
#8,9,10 - The Chosen (2008) Nagel Heyer [2084]

Donald Harrison, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham - Heroes (2004)

Donald Harrison, who gained his initial recognition in the 1980s when he was with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and co-led a band with Terence Blanchard, has continued growing and evolving ever since that time. Though underrated, he is currently at the peak of his powers. Harrison worked with bassist Ron Carter, drummer Billy Cobham, and pianist James Williams in a 2002 quartet called the Art of Four. He reunites with Carter and Cobham for five selections on Heroes and also engages in three duets with the bassist. Whether it is a minor blues ("One of a Kind"), the "I Got Rhythm" chords of "Double Trouble," "Solar," or the melancholy "Candlelight," Harrison shows that he is a superior post-bop improviser with a sound of his own. The final three selections, listed as "bonus tracks," have Harrison performing a funk piece, a calypso, and a mistitled Thelonious Monk tune ("Well, You Needn't" is listed as "Straight, No Chaser") in spirited fashion with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer John Lamkin. This CD is one of Donald Harrison's most rewarding showcases to date and is highly recommended. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Nagel Heyer Records, nagel heyer 2041, 2004
Recorded 1st & 2nd December, 2002 at Avatar Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison - Alto Saxophone
Ron Carter - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums
Vicente Archer - Bass (#9-11)
John Lamkin - Drums (#9-11) 

Tracks:
01. Heroes {Donald Harrison} (6:14)
02. Blues For The New Millennium {Donald Harrison} (4:12)
03. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (8:12)
04. One Of A Kind {Donald Harrison} (5:53)
05. Double Trouble {Donald Harrison, Ron Carter} (8:01)
06. Receipt Please {Ron Carter} (5:59)
07. Candlelight {Ron Carter} (6:33)
08. Solar {Miles Davis} (3:57)
09. Free Style {Donald Harrison} (4:43) *
10. Iko Iko {James Crawford} (3:11) *
11. Well, You Needn't {Thelonious Monk} (8:06) * 

Total Time: 65:06 

 * Bonus Tracks 

Credits:
Producer, Photos - Frank Nagel-Heyer
Recording Engineer - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Aya Takemura
Mastering, Mixing - Florian Sommer
Cover - Woellergestaltung, Hamburg
Liner Notes - Ted Panken 

Heroes

Donald Harrison Jr - "3D" Vol. 1 (2006)

3D, Vol. 1 is a synthesis of Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Funk that you can use when you want to chill or get up and dance. You call that the perfect mix. Donald Harrison wrote and produced most of the music on this project. In fact, on "Chillin' At The Penthouse" he played every instrument. His unique synthesis will take you on a relaxing soulful journey. Bio Donald Harrison, 3D: Volume One (FOMP Records) Early in is multi-faceted career, when Donald Harrison was holding down the saxophone chair in the top-notch touring band of Lena Horne, the veteran star of stage and screen gave her young accompanist the nickname "Cool Breeze." Several years later, Harrison recorded a "smooth jazz" classic on the CTI record label called The Power of Cool that earned him high accolades and a considerable amount of play time on contemporary adult radio all around the country. Now the "cool" side of Donald Harrison is back with a high-powered synthesis of jazz intonations, R&B syncopations, and a solid funk feeling you can't possibly miss. Blowing like a strong Gulf Coast breeze, the New Orleans born-and-bred saxophonist sails his majestic sound over sunset waters swelled by contributions from a multitude of friends and musical collaborators, including salsa maestro Eddie Palmieri, trumpet sensation Chris Botti, and smooth-jazz guitarist and in-demand producer Chuck Loeb, among many others. Begun pre-Katrina, 3D: Volume One was completed in studios all around the country with the much-appreciated support of musicians, studios, friends, and family. It's journey to fruition marks a genuine triumph of the human spirit. And its music is a perfect blend of mellow sounds and percolating beats, setting the stage for a little "Soul to Soul" dancing or maybe just some "Chillin' at the Penthouse." Either way, this "cool breeze" of contemporary adult jazz is guaranteed to take you on a soulful and relaxing journey ... So, settle back, and enjoy! ~ DeepDiscount.com. 

FOMP Records, 000013, 2006 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr - Saxophone
Chris Botti - Trumpet
Brian Lynch - Trumpet (#8)
Daryl Levigne - Piano (#2,4,10)
Eddie Palmieri - Piano (#8)
Chuck Loeb - Guitar (#1)
John Bagnado - Guitar (#2,4,5,10)
Marc Pero - Guitar (#2,4,10)
Bill Soley - Guitar (#6)
Eric Slaughter - Guitar (#7)
Darius Harrison - Guitar (#9,11)
Jonathan Lewis - Guitar (#12)
Chris Severin - Bass (#5)
John Benitez - Bass (#8)
Louis Cato - Bass (#12)
Andrew Marsh - Drums (#12)
Michael White - Drums (#1)
Jamal Batiste - Drums (#4,5)
El Negro - Drums (#8)
Giovanni Hidalgo - Percussion (#8)
McKinley "Bug" Williams - Percussion (7,11)
Darius Harrison - Vocals (#2)
Smoke - Vocals (#11)
Denise Hudson - Lead Vocals (#12)
Leoniere Allen - Backing Vocals (#12) 

Tracks:
01. The Magic Touch {Donald Harrison} (5:15)
02. Now Is The Time {Donald Harrison} (4:24)
03. Chillin' At The Penthouse {Donald Harrison} (4:53)
04. All My Love {Donald Harrison} (5:42)
05. Soul To Soul {Donald Harrison} (5:10)
06. A Beautiful Day {Donald Harrison} (4:47)
07. Dream Girl {Donald Harrison} (3:48)
08. Eddie Palmieri {Donald Harrison} (5:34)
09. Step In The Name Of Love {Robert Sylvester Kelly} (4:38)
10. Now Is The Time [Instrumental] {Donald Harrison} (4:23)
11. Rainy Nights {Elmer Overton} (3:15)
12. You Love Me Back {Donald Harrison} (4:54) 

Total Time: 57:22 

Credits:
Producer - Donald Harrison
Producer - Darius Harrison (#9)

Donald Harrison Jr. Introducing Christian Scott - Paradise Found (2000)

Harrison is being called one of the most important musicians of the new millennium. On "Paradise Found," he continues to explore his groundbreaking Nouveau Swing style, which merges straight-ahead acoustic swing with modern R&B, second-line, hip-hop, Mardi Gras Indian, and reggae rhythms. There are few jazz musicians who can play it all, from traditional New Orleans style jazz to swing, bop, post-bop, modern, smooth, avant-garde, and beyond, but Harrison has developed his own personal style that traverses and synthesizes all these mediums with great success. Paradise Found also introduces 16-year-old trumpeter Christian Scott. Scott like Harrison is a native New Orleanian. On "Paradise Found," an aura of soothing, soulful serenity emanates from the music, reflecting the leader's recent revelations. "I think I've reached the point where I want to use music to help people and try to make the world a better place," he says. "This starts with the understanding that paradise starts within. When you come to a peaceful place within yourself and realize whom you are, you begin to play from your heart. That is what this record is about, accepting oneself and finding a peaceful place and trying to do the right thing by other people." ~ amazon.co.jp. 

Fomp Records, 9999, 2003
Recorded 5th March, 2000 At Ultrasonic Studio, New Orleans 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet
Andrew Adair - Piano
Vicente Archer - Bass
John Lamkin - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Paradise Found {Donald Harrison} (6:53)
02. NY 2000 {Donald Harrison} (5:56)
03. Burnin {Donald Harrison} (4:55)
04. Young Blood {Christian Scott} (5:30)
05. Jamaican Girl {Donald Harrison} (7:27)
06. All My Love {Donald Harrison} (7:58)
07. Giant Steps {John Coltrane} (3:20)
08. One For Bird {Donald Harrison} (4:34)
09. Misty {Erroll Garner, Johnny Burke} (6:41)
10. Coolin {Donald Harrison} (6:29)
11. Idris Song {Donald Harrison} (3:40)
12. Soul Man {Donald Harrison, Isaac Hayes, David Porter} (6:43) 

Total Time: 70:06

Credits:
Producer, Project Coordinator - Donald Harrison
Mastering - Greg Calbi

Donald Harrison, Mulgrew Miller, Christian Scott - The Survivor (2006)

Cultural critic Greil Marcus wrote a scathing essay at the end of the 1970s about the rampant overuse of the word "survivor" in modern life. Over 25 years on, musicians of a certain age arguably have more of a right to use the S-word, especially a saxophonist like Donald Harrison, who has stayed true to his own soul-jazz path since his early days as a sideman despite the fact that his brand of funk-influenced hard bop has rarely been the least bit fashionable, even among many jazz listeners. The Survivor is a timeless album, most of which sounds like it could have come from any point in Harrison's career. Yet it's no mere nostalgia kick, because underneath Harrison's sterling alto work, the rhythm section sounds fairly attuned to contemporary trends. "The Hook Up" in particular has a skittering, hip-hop-influenced vibe to John Lamkin's drums; the closing track takes it all the way, being a mash-up of Harrison playing the Duke Ellington standard "Caravan" over a turntablist and a sample of James Brown's iconic "Funky Drummer" beat, perhaps the most-used sample in hip-hop history. The reason this track works in the context of more standard Harrison fare as the gentle original ballad "Sincerely Yours," rather than sounding like a stab at cultural relevance from an aging player, is that funk in all its forms has been at the root of not only Harrison's own music, but of this particular jazz path since the days of Miles Davis' "Walkin'" back in the early '50s. "Survivor" may still be overstating the case a bit, but The Survivor shows that far from being an esoteric form for aesthetic snobs and old folks, Harrison's music has grown along a parallel path to more familiar styles, and moves easily back and forth between them. ~ by Stewart Mason, AMG. 

Nagel Heyer Records, 2068, 2006
Recorded 22nd November, 2004 At The Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet
Mulgrew Miller - Piano
Zaccai Curtis - Piano
Luques Curtis - Bass
John Lamkin - Drums 

Tracks:
1. The Survivor {Donald Harrison} (8:49)
2. Twerk It {Donald Harrison} (8:43)
3. Summertime {George Gershwin} (9:28)
4. Cool Breeze {Donald Harrison} (5:20)
5. The Hook Up {Donald Harrison} (9:08)
6. Oriental Folk Song {Wayne Shorter} (7:54)
7. Nouveau Swing {Donald Harrison} (7:41)
8. Sincerely Yours {Donald Harrison} (9:27)
9. Caravan [Who Is The Funky Drummer] {Juan Tizol} (5:19) 

Total Time: 71:49 

Credits:
Producer, Photo - Frank Nagel-Heyer
Engineer - Jon Rosenberg
Assistant Engineer - Eiji Takasugi
Mixing - Florian Sommer
Mastering - Ben Ahrens
Cover - Woellergestaltung, Hamburg

Donald Harrison - The Power Of Cool (1994)

"Impressive...gifted..a debt of both jazz and rock...Mr. Harrison has mastered all the signs of soul," ~ Peter Watrous, N.Y. Times.

"Revitalizing.. Donald Harrison, an alto saxophonist from New Orleans, has established himself. Mr. Harrison has taken the rhythm of the street and overlaid it with his favorite modernist harmonies. ~ John Pareles, N.Y. Times. 

This guy is absolutely awesome! I searched forever trying to find out who this artist is. I always heard "Tropic of Cool" on the radio, but the disc jockey never gave the name of the song or artist info-it drove me nuts! Please, just listen to this one song and you'll be a fan for life!!!!!!!!! ~ Amazon Customer. 

CTI Records, CTI 67237-2, 1994
CTI / MSI, MA 70 01 237, 2006 

Recorded At:
Acme Studios, Mamaroneck, NY;
Carriage House, Stannford, CT;
The Power Station, New York, NY. 

Personnel:
Donald Harrison - Alto Sax (#2,4-9), Soprano Sax (#1,3,10)
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#1,7,10)
Jon Werking - Keyboards, Piano, Strings
Larry Coryell - Guitar, Guitar [Classical] (#8,9)
Chuck Loeb - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Programming, Piano
Marlon Graves - Guitar, Guitar Sampling
Mark Egan, Will Lee - Bass, Fretless Bass
Robert Aries - Bass, Drum Programming, Keyboards
Joe Bonadio - Drums, Percussion
Zach Danziger - Cymbals, Drums, Hi Hat, Tom-Tom
David Charles - Percussion
James "D-Train" Williams - Vocals (#6)
Sharon Bryant - Vocals (#6,8), Vocals [Background]
Carmen Cuesta - Vocals (#5), Vocals [Background]
Lani Groves - Vocals [Background]
Vaneese Thomas - Vocals [Background] (#4,5)
Roberta Lawrence - Vocals [Background] (#4,5)

Tracks:
01. The Tropic Of Cool {Chuck Loeb} (5:00)
02. The Wind Cries Mary {Jimi Hendrix} (4:12)
03. Shadowbrook {Chuck Loeb} (6:37)
04. All I Want Is You {Rob Aries, Robert Aries, Donald Harrison} (3:47)
05. Till U Comeback {Chuck Loeb} (4:47)
06. Close The Door {Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff} (5:46)
07. The Power Of Cool {Chuck Loeb} (6:07)
08. Too Fast {Carmen Cuesta} (5:59)
09. Ceora {Lee Morgan} (5:00)
10. Four {Miles Davis} (4:06) 

Total Time: 51:21

Credits:
Producer - Creed Taylor
Producer - Chuck Loeb, Arranger
Producer - Rob Aries, Arranger
Engineer - Larry Alexander, Phil Magnotti, Rory Young
Assembly, Digital Sequencing - Ron Bach
Digital Mastering - Jonathan Wyner
Cartage - Danny K.
Liner Notes - Mark Holston

Donald Harrison - The Chosen (2008)

At this point in his career-25 years after his breakthrough New York Second Line album with partner Terence Blanchard and following invaluable apprenticeships with Art Blakey and Eddie Palmieri-alto saxophonist Harrison has become a seasoned veteran and respected bandleader-talent scout (his young nephew and discovery, trumpeter Christian Scott, has already struck out on a promising career of his own). On The Chosen, his fifth outing for Nagel Heyer, Harrison is in the company of a new crew of gifted youngbloods in pianist Victor Gould, bassist Max Moran and the sensational drummer Joseph Dyson Jr. Together they cover a wide swath of stylistic territory, from the all-out burn of Trane's "Mr. P.C.," featuring an intense sax-drums breakdown between Harrison and Dyson, to a relaxed, loosely swinging rendition of "If I Were a Bell" full of tricky bits of metric modulation, to the infectiously melodic title track and the rousing second-line groover "I’m the Big Chief of Congo Square," in which the alto saxophonist (an authentic Mardi Gras Indian Chief) resurrects his rich New Orleans heritage, harkening back to his great 1991 recording Indian Blues. Strangely, Harrison chooses to sit one out, opting to showcase his talented rhythm section on a piano-trio rendition of Juan Tizol's "Caravan." He returns for a soulful take on the George and Ira Gershwin nugget "They Can’t Take That Away From Me," blowing that familiar melody with the simplicity and charm of a vocalist before breaking away for some lofty, Bird-inspired flights. He plays with a relaxed soulfulness on his evocative ballad "To Nola With Love," eventually stretching out on some gospel-tinged bits of testifying through the course of this 10-minute paean to the Crescent City. His other originals include the urgent, R&B-flavored "The Right Touch," underscored by Fender Rhodes electric piano and Dyson's slick hip-hop-flavored beat, and the dreamy "Urban Serengeti." And he joins in on snare and ride cymbal along with a crew of four New Orleans parade drummers on the ultra-funky "Drum Line." A potent package from start to finish with no filler in between. ~ by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes.com.

Nagel Heyer Records, NHCD 2084, 2008
Recorded 10^th, 11^th & 12^th January, 2008 At Word Of Mouth, New Orleans

Musicians:
Donald Harrison - Alto Saxophone, Fender Rhodes (#9), Percussion (#9)
Victor Gould - Piano
Max Moran - Bass
Joseph Dyson - Drums 

Plus:
Jesse McBride - Piano (#6)
Conun Pappas - Fender Rhodes (#7)
The Old School Drum Line from New Orleans (#9)
- Barry "Bamm Bamm" Harrison - Snare Drum
- Orlandez "Big Ike" Pierre - Tenor Drum
- James "Jim Brown" Henderson - Tenor Drum
- Jonathan "Dick-A-Lou" Williams - Bass Drum 

Tracks:
01. Mr. P.C. {John Coltrane} (6:58)
02. The Chosen {Donald Harrison} (5:33)
03. If I Were A Bell {Frank Loesser} (6:30)
04. Caravan {Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington} (5:16)
05. They Can't Take That Away From Me {George & Ira Gershwin} (5:44)
06. To Nola With Love {Donald Harrison} (9:48)
07. The Right Touch {Donald Harrison} (4:16)
08. Urban Serengeti {Donald Harrison} (6:34)
09. Drum Line {Harrison, Harrison, Pierre, Henderson, Williams} (6:02)
10. I'm The Big Chief Of Congo Square {Donald Harrison} (8:47) 

Total Time: 65:28

Credits:
Producer - Frank Nagel-Heyer
Mastering - Ben Ahrens
Photos [Cover+Page 2] - Kiel Scott
Booklet & Photo [Back] - Tomas Ovalle
Cover Design - Woellergestaltung, Hamburg