Donald Harrison - Real Life Stories

 Donald Harrison, alto alumnus of the Art Blakey and Eddie Palmieri bands, likes to blend funk, reggae, and swing rhythms into something he calls "nouveau swing" (releasing a CD by that name in 1997, on Impulse!). There is a fresh, contemporary feel to this Nagel Heyer debut, along with a nod to tradition in Harrison's tonal and harmonic homage to Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. Superb pianist Eric Reed plays on seven tracks, supplying the sly, cartoon-villain riff in the opener, and the film-noirish chording on the title track. He also wrote the contemplative "Strange Day," where Harrison builds a dynamic and forceful solo. "Oleo" and "I'm Barred" are in the capable hands of pianist Jonathan Lefcoski, who, with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer John Lamkin, comprise Harrison's crack working band. Lamkin wrote the bright bossa nova "Swept From the Sea," one of the CD's highlights; another is the classic "Oleo," where Harrison tosses "Bird"-like accents over the churning rhythm. "A Night in Tunisia" has a hint of reggae and some droll hesitation that recalls Dizzy's wit, and trumpeter Christian Scott, Harrison's 18-year-old nephew, provides a clear, understated turn that ends too soon. The band makes "Take Five" their own, resisting clichés: Reed's solo is angular and spare, Harrison's strong and soaring. On "Keep the Faith," Harrison brews an enthusiastic mix of gospel, funk, and a touch of R&B that ends this session on a joyful note. Passionate, tasteful playing, original material, and great grooves make this a thoroughly enjoyable disc.

I no longer have any scanner access so I apologize for not being able to scan the booklet.

 

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