Donald Harrison

Donald Harrison Jr. (b. June 23, 1960) is an American jazz saxophonist. Career Harrison played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 1980s, and co-led a group with fellow New Orleanian Terence Blanchard for many years. He also played with the re-formed Headhunters band in the 1990s. His performance credits include appearances and recordings with many influential jazz musicians. Harrison's records and live performances are in the jazz mainstream, but still manage to incorporate influences from many of the other styles that are prominent in his hometown.

Career

Harrison played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 1980s, and co-led a group with fellow New Orleanian Terence Blanchard for many years. He also played with the re-formed Headhunters band in the 1990s. His performance credits include appearances and recordings with many influential jazz musicians. Harrison's records and live performances are in the jazz mainstream, but still manage to incorporate influences from many of the other styles that are prominent in his hometown.

Harrison also performs in the smooth jazz genre. His group Donald Harrison Electric Band has recorded popular radio hits and have charted in the top ten of Billboard magazine. He performs in the traditional Mardi Gras Indian and Hiphop genres with his group, "The New Sounds of Mardi Gras." The group which has 2 recorded 2 CDs was started 4 years ago and has made appearances worldwide. Harrison is the Chief of the Congo Nation New Orleans Cultural Group which keeps alive the secret traditions of Congo Square.

Here is a partial list of Harrison's playing credit: Doc Paulin, Roy Haynes, Jack McDuff, Art Blakey, Eddie Palmieri, Nat Adderley, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Digable Planets, Jazzmatazz, Jennifer Holiday, Miles Davis, and the great Lena Horne.

Harrison also writes orchestral works for major orchestras. Harrison was chosen as the person of the year by Jazziz magazine in January 2007. His latest CD's, "3D Vol.'s I, II, and III," feature him in 3 different musical genres. On vol. I he writes, plays, and produces music in the smooth jazz, and R&B style. On vol. II he writes, produces and plays in the classic jazz style. On vol. III he writes plays and produces in the hiphop genre.

Harrison's CD's, "Spirits of Congo Square," recorded in 2002 and, "Indian Blues," recorded in 1991 have influenced other jazz musicians like Terence Blanchard on his composition, "Ghost of Congo Square," And Wynton Marsalis recording titled, "Congo Square."

Harrison was forced to evacuate New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and proceeds from his album Nouveau Swing will go to victims of the hurricanes.

Teaching

Harrison has been influential in nurturing a number of young musicians including the young Grammy nominated trumpeter Christian Scott (Harrison's nephew), Mark Whitfield, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, Dwayne Bruno, John Lamkin, Vicente Archer, Joe Dyson, Max Moran, Conun Pappas, Victor Gould, and The Notorious B.I.G. Harrison was featured in Spike Lee's HBO documentary, "When the Levees Broke."

Harrison also directed the New Jazz School for the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans,[1] which aims to teach young musicians to play and understand various elements of jazz in just 2 weeks, which is similar to the NOCCA program. Other faculty of the June 9-21st 2008 New Jazz School included Christian Scott on trumpet, David Pulphus on bass, Jesse McBride on Piano, Ricky Sebastian on drums, and Detroit Brooks on guitar. Grammy Award winner Brian Lynch (musician) was the guest artist of the program.

Family

Harrison was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father (Donald Harrison, Sr.) was a legendary Big Chief in New Orleans cultural history.

Harrison's nephew, Christian Scott, is a Grammy-nominated jazz musician.

Friends

While living in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Harrison befriended a young Notorious B.I.G.