Barrie Harris' Birthday
bigdog
celebration in Ny for him Dec 14-15. Anyone going?
If you don't know who Barrie Harris is please turn in your union
card. I'm working my way through his 4 DVD set. Very interesting.
david
joel fass
Thanks for reminding me. I've known Barry since 1976. He's not going
to around forever. Great man. Is it at Shutters on W. 34th st.?
dwabeslim
I'm constantly amazed when I hear "who is Barry Harris?" [as a pianist
in my Improv class said this year] First, he's an amazing player
I think the real heir apparent to Bud Powell. Also, Barry is a
fantastic teacher of Jazz music. Late 80's we had Barry come to McGill
for a week, we suspended all jazz classes and handed the students over
to Mr Harris.
At the end of the week all the students sounded better[much more
authentic] and the staff was inspired.
If you are not aware of him as an artist and as
a teacher look him up you will be rewarded.
As an aside, for those of us who play the guitar and have all the
hangups about the harmonic limitations of the instrument, Barry's
harmonic system[based on the passing tone scales aka "bebop scales[I
hate that term] opens doors and Barry has said on more than one
occasion that most pianists play too many notes in chords and might
look to guitar to see how we do with less notes!! A refreshing
point of view for guitarists to hear.
His line concepts based on the music itself and
passing tone scale theory looks simple at first glance but is really
very deep and can provide years of study and practice but,
simplifies many bebop lines and really is a rhythmic concept so any
of his material is really 3 in 1 oil for the musician.
Practice of any of the Barry Harris concepts/studies involves
rhythm/melody/harmony. In our busy era when practice time is at a
premium, this doing of 3 things any time you practice any one of the
three is invaluable.
Greg
PS He is also THE great interpreter of Monk.
AJK
Well said Greg!