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. (born June 23, 1960) is an amazing African-American jazz saxophone player. He is also the Big Chief of The Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group from New Orleans, Louisiana.
He received a special Honorary Doctorate degree from the Berklee College of Music in 2021. He is also recognized as an NEA Jazz Master, which is a very high honor in jazz music. He is the uncle and former teacher of Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, who is also a famous musician.
About Donald Harrison Jr.
Harrison was born in 1960 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr., was also a very important cultural leader.
His New Orleans Roots
Donald Harrison Jr.'s music is deeply connected to the culture of New Orleans. He grew up participating in the city's second-line parades. He also learned about the secret tribal culture of New Orleans from his father.
He started participating as a masked Mardi Gras Indian when he was only two years old! Back then, his title was "Little Chief of the Creole Wild West." Today, Harrison Jr. is the Chief of Congo Square in Afro-New Orleans Culture.
Becoming a Musician
Harrison started playing the alto saxophone when he was 16. He later went on to study music at the famous Berklee College of Music.
As a professional musician, Harrison played with many jazz legends. These included Roy Haynes and Jack McDuff. He then joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with Terence Blanchard. They recorded several albums together.
His Unique Music Style
Donald Harrison Jr. loves to mix different types of music.
- In 1997, he released an album called Nouveau Swing. On this album, he blended the swing beat of jazz with modern dance music. He also mixed it with music inspired by the Caribbean.
- On his next album, he continued to experiment. He mixed modern jazz with hip hop, Latin music, R&B, and smooth jazz.
He even released a series of albums called 3D Vols. I, II, and III.
- On Vol. I, he focused on smooth jazz and R&B.
- On Vol. II, he played classic jazz.
- On Vol. III, he explored hip hop music.
His group, the Donald Harrison Electric Band, has had popular songs on the radio. They have even made it into the top ten of Billboard magazine's 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 performs traditional New Orleans jazz and hip hop around the world.
Cultural Leadership
In 1999, Harrison became the Big Chief of the Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group. This group works to keep the important traditions of Congo Square alive.
Harrison explained why he chose the name "Afro-New Orleans." He said that when he traveled the world, he noticed that places like Cuba and Brazil used "Afro" to describe their culture that came from Africa. He wanted to do the same for New Orleans music.
Working with Other Musicians
In 2013, Harrison started playing with The Cookers. This is a New Orleans supergroup with many talented musicians.
Harrison has also written classical music for orchestras. He recorded his first orchestral work with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra in 2016. He then wrote pieces for the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and other orchestras.
He has helped many young musicians grow, including his nephew, trumpeter Christian Scott. He has also taught music at different schools and programs.
Donald Harrison Jr. has appeared in movies and TV shows too! He was in Spike Lee's HBO documentary, When the Levees Broke. He also played himself in eleven episodes of the TV series, Treme.
Family Life
Donald Harrison Jr. is married to Mary Alicė Spears-Harrison. They have a daughter named Victoria Harrison.
Awards and Honors
National Endowment for the Arts
In 2022, Donald Harrison Jr. received a special award called the A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy. This award recognized him for his amazing saxophone playing and for creating "Nouveau Swing." It also honored his dedication to keeping the music and culture of New Orleans alive.
OffBeat Magazine Awards
Donald Harrison Jr. has won many awards 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 Awards
- Harrison has received two Grand Prix du Disque awards.
- He was given an Honorary Doctorate by the Berklee College of Music in 2021.
- Jazziz magazine chose him as their Person of the Year in January 2007.
Discography
As 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)
See also
In Spanish: Donald Harrison para niños
