Just amonth ago I found his " Ballades" CD in a thrift store. Never herd of him I thot so I got it. Well I'm listening to this CD 3-4 times a week! Every song a profound gem. A piano genius since he tosses in riffs u don't expect.
Gene was my neighbor. I piano genius. Started piano at 5. Played in a club in Benton harbor Michigan under age cause the band said he was better than their adult pianist. Studied classical music in new york. 82 airborne member. A sweeter soul i never met. Blesses to all.
THE BLUESIEST jazz pianists are : 1) Junior Mance 2) this man 3) Jay McShann 4) L McCann 5) W Kelly 6) H Parlan 7) H Mabern 8) B. Timmons 8b) R. Lewis) R. Bryant ) M. Allison) H. Foster 9) C Basie 10) E Hines. 11) J.Turner Correct me if I m in error .. .. .. , doubt it (Garner & then FINE-as - Waldron,,prob,, ...)) THE BLUESIEST BLUES PIANISTS ARE : BIG MACEO, O.Spann, M.Slim, Sunnyland, MERCY DEE, Jack Dupree, Eddie Boyd, Curtis Jones, J.D. Nicholson ...Pinetop Perkins, Little Willie Littlefield
Thanks for sharing, but what happened to: This masquerade? the theme starts at 4:46 and disappears at 5:35! what a pity, this is one of the most beautiful interpretation of Gene Harris
OSCAR WITH DIRT UNDER HIS FINGERNAILS! NO FANNIES IN THOSE SEATS. SIMPLY THE BEST. I JUST WATCHED A VIDEO ABOUT TATUM AND NEWBORN, JR. THEY PLAYED WITH EXTRAORDINARY SKILL, LIKE OSCAR, BUT THE PASSION IS MISSING. JAZZ IS ALL ABOUT PASSION, AND GENE RULES THAT ROOST! HE MAKES YOU WANT TO JUMP UP, RAISE YOUR ARMS AND SCREAM.
PODEMOS ACRESCENTAR QUE O PIANO DE HARRIS, É PROFUNDAMENTE VISCERAL. CADA NOTA VEM DAS ENTRANHAS DO SEU SER... APESAR DE TUDO. EXISTE UMA LEVEZA QUE ENCANTA !!!
@@jtauscher Also... "ALL THE WAY" Is omitted here.. It was performed after "MASQUERADE" It is included in the upload on the channel "Ron Eschete".... he's the guitarist seen here "Gene Harris Quartet Live 1994"
This is traditionally what a jazz listeners would've anticipated hearing during the time period, soulfully straight ahead. If only one would allow himself to openness, true appreciation of the art is made available .
Magical experience is the the best way to describe it!!! Sometimes he would play the song “Thats All” as his final song of the night. I distinctly remember thinking I didn’t want the night to end.
I've been looking for a live recording (Video) of Gene playing Black and Blue! The beginning is cut off - would anyone know where I could see the whole performance of that song? Thank you.
Blue as Junior Mance, swinging as Basie, technical peer of Oscar, not abstruse as Phineas or Tatum, but rhythmically, harmonically, melodic-wise, the leading exponent of piano trio jazz. Such that Ray Brown, first-call bassist on both coasts, offered and actually did play sideman to Harris. Resulting in some of the most inspired readings of standards in catalogue today. The Herb Ellis quartet recordings are worth citing as aural treasures.
It's a crying shame that the audience appears to consist mainly of the elderly. Young people don't patronize or support this type of quality musicianship. I suppose Miles Davis figured that out and got into rock and roll??
