Donald Harrison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald Harrison Jr
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Donald Harrison Jr. at the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2007
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 23, 1960 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts | The Cookers |
Donald Harrison Jr. is a famous American jazz saxophone player. He was born on June 23, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also known as the Big Chief of the Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group.
In 2021, he received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. He is also recognized as an NEA Jazz Master. Donald Harrison Jr. is the uncle and former teacher of another talented musician, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah.
Contents
Donald Harrison Jr.'s Early Life and Music Journey
Donald Harrison Jr. was born in 1960 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr. Donald Jr.'s music roots come from growing up in New Orleans. He learned about the city's unique "second-line" culture. He also studied the secret traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians with his father.
Becoming a Mardi Gras Indian
Donald Harrison Jr. started participating as a masked Mardi Gras Indian when he was only two years old. He was given the title "Little Chief of the Creole Wild West." Today, he is the Chief of Congo Square in Afro-New Orleans Culture.
Starting His Music Career
Harrison began playing the alto saxophone at age 16. He later went on to study music at the Berklee College of Music. As a professional musician, he worked with famous artists like Roy Haynes and Jack McDuff. He then joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with Terence Blanchard. They recorded several albums together until 1989.
Musical Styles and Albums
Donald Harrison Jr. is known for mixing different music styles. He released a tribute album for Art Blakey called For Art's Sake. He also made an album that celebrated his New Orleans heritage. This album featured Dr. John and Cyrus Chestnut. It also included chants from the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians.
Creating Nouveau Swing
In 1997, Harrison released Nouveau Swing. Half of this album mixed the swing beat of modern jazz with modern dance music. The other half blended swing with music from the Caribbean. He continued to experiment on his next album. He mixed modern jazz with hip hop, Latin music, R&B, and smooth jazz.
Exploring Different Genres
His albums 3D Vols. I, II, and III show his talent in three different music styles.
- On Vol. I, he created smooth jazz and R&B music.
- On Vol. II, he focused on classic jazz.
- On Vol. III, he explored hip hop music.
His group, the Donald Harrison Electric Band, has recorded popular songs. These songs have even reached the top ten on the Billboard magazine charts. He also performs as a producer, singer, and rapper with his group, The New Sounds of Mardi Gras. This group started in 2001 and has performed all over the world.
Leadership in New Orleans Culture
In 1999, Donald Harrison was named the Big Chief of the Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group. This group works to keep the secret traditions of Congo Square alive. Harrison explained that he chose the name "Afro-New Orleans" because it connects to African culture. He saw how other countries like Cuba and Brazil used "Afro" to describe their music that came from African roots.
Collaborations and Teaching
In 2013, Harrison started playing with The Cookers. This is a supergroup from New Orleans. Its members include Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, and David Weiss.
Orchestral Works
In 2016, Harrison recorded his first orchestral piece with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. He then wrote more classical orchestral works. These were for the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, The New York Chamber Orchestra, and The Jalapa Symphony Orchestra in 2017.
Mentoring Young Musicians
Harrison has helped many young musicians. These include his nephew, trumpeter Christian Scott, Mark Whitfield, Christian McBride, and The Notorious B.I.G.. He has also taught at the College of William & Mary and New York's New School of Music. Since 2022, he has been the Artistic Director of the Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp.
Appearances in TV and Film
Harrison appeared in Spike Lee's HBO documentary, When the Levees Broke. He also played himself in eleven episodes of the TV show, Treme.
Personal Life
Donald Harrison Jr. is married to Mary Alicė Spears-Harrison. They have a daughter named Victoria Harrison.
Awards and Honors
Donald Harrison Jr. has received many awards for his music and cultural work.
National Endowment for the Arts
In 2022, the National Endowment for the Arts honored Harrison with the A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy. He was recognized for his "hard-swinging improvisational style" and for creating "Nouveau Swing." This style mixes jazz with R&B, hip-hop, rock, and soul. His dedication to New Orleans music and culture is also very important.
OffBeat Magazine Awards
Donald Harrison Jr. has won the "Best Saxophonist" award multiple times from OffBeat magazine.
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Best Saxophonist | Won | |
| 2020 | Best Saxophonist | Won | |
| 2021-22 | Best Saxophonist | Won | |
| 2023 | Best Saxophonist | Won |
Other Recognitions
Harrison has received two Grand Prix du Disque awards. In 2021, the Berklee College of Music gave him an Honorary Doctorate. Jazziz magazine also named him Person of the Year in January 2007.
Discography
Donald Harrison Jr. has released many albums both as a leader and with other musicians.
As a Leader
- 1990: Full Circle (Sweet Basil)
- 1991: For Art's Sake (Candid)
- 1992: Indian Blues (Candid) with Dr. John
- 1994: The Power of Cool (CTI)
- 1997: Nouveau Swing (Impulse!)
- 1999: Free to Be (Impulse!)
- 2000: Spirits of Congo Square (Candid)
- 2001: Real Life Stories (Nagel Heyer)
- 2002: Kind of New (Candid)
- 2003: Paradise Found (Fomp)
- 2004: Heroes (Nagel Heyer)
- 2004: Free Style (Nagel Heyer)
- 2005: New York Cool: Live at The Blue Note (Half Note)
- 2005: 3D (Fomp)
- 2006: The Survivor (Nagel Heyer)
- 2008: The Chosen (Nagel Heyer)
- 2011: This Is Jazz: Live at The Blue Note (Half Note)
As Co-leader with Terence Blanchard
- 1983: New York Second Line (Concord)
- 1984: Discernment (Concord)
- 1986: Nascence (Columbia)
- 1986: Eric Dolphy & Booker Little Remembered Live at Sweet Basil, Vol. 1 (Evidence)
- 1986: Fire Waltz: Eric Dolphy & Booker Little Remembered Live At Sweet Basil, Vol. 2 (Evidence)
- 1987: Crystal Stair (Columbia)
- 1988: Black Pearl (Columbia)
As a Sideman (Playing with Others)
Donald Harrison Jr. has also played on albums by many other artists, including:
- With Art Blakey: Oh-By the Way (1982), New York Scene (1984), Blue Night (1985)
- With Joanne Brackeen: Turnaround (1992)
- With The Headhunters: Evolution Revolution (2003), Speakers In The House (2022)
- With Eddie Henderson: Witness to History (2022)
- With the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project: Simpático (2007)
- With Eddie Palmieri: Palmas (1995), Arete (1995), Vortex (1996), Listen Here! (2005), Wisdom/Sabiduria (2017)
- With Don Pullen: The Sixth Sense (1985)
- With Lonnie Smith: Rise Up! (2008)
- With Esperanza Spalding: Esperanza (2008)
- With Jane Monheit: Taking a Chance on Love (2004)
On DVD
- Live with Clark Terry
- Live at the Supper Club with Lena Horne
- With Larry Coryell "Live in Bahia"
See also
In Spanish: Donald Harrison para niños
