Search - Barry Harris :: At the Jazz Workshop

Barry Harris: a musician's musician, and top bop pianist

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 11/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record is a good opportunity to meet Barry Harris.This extraordinary bop piano player,born in Detroit in 1929,and still active in music,is one of the most underrated jazz musicians,considering his incredible talent.It's very curious,because he recorded many albums,as a member of a group or under his own name.It is easy to name several of his own records,which all are very great ones: "Preminado","listen to Barry Harris","chasin' the Bird" on Riverside,"plays Tadd Dameron","plays Barry Harris" on Xanadu,"live at Maybeck" on Concord,for example;but he ver was recognized as the immense bop piano player he is.
A "natural child" of Bud Powell,a disciple of the Master,Tadd Dameron,an exceptionnal piano teacher,he survived for years living at Baronness Nica de Koenigswarter's home (just like Monk,who wrote the sublime "Pannonica" for this lady).He deserves to be revered by jazzfans just like Tommy Flanagan or Hank Jones.
This concert was recorded in San Francisco,at the Jazz Workshop,May 15 and 16,1960.Barry plays with two very great musicians: Sam Jones,bass, and Louis Hayes,drums.They play two anthems of bebop: Bird's "Moose the mooche" and Dizzy's "woody'n you",two standards,"Star eyes" and "don't blame me",three originals by Harris,"curtain call","Lolita" and "morning coffee",and a famous theme written by Louis Jordan,"Is you is or is you ain't my baby".Bud Powell's influence is obvious here,as on any Barry Harris' record.
As I wrote before,Barry Harris belongs to the same family of piano players as Hank Jones (born 1918),Tommy Flanagan (1930-2001),the younger Kenny Barron,and another master of the 88 keys,a bebop pianist but a child of Teddy Wilson,the amazing Duke Jordan.They are no spectacular players;but they can say so much while playing just the essential.Like Monk also,or Duke.Barry Harris is one of the last survivors of the bop era.Please,listen to his music now !!!"

One of Barry's Finest Hours

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most jazz aficionados will know Barry Harris as the pianist on Lee Morgan's classic Blue Note album "The Sidewinder," but he has also had a productive career as a leader that has lasted over five decades. And this CD, "Barry Harris At The Jazz Workshop," is one of his finest moments. This live recording for Riverside is from May 15 & 16, 1960 in San Francisco, and features Barry's telepathic trio of Sam Jones on bass and Louis Hayes on drums -- two gentlemen who have collaborated on too many all-star albums to name. It takes a really special piano trio session to get my heart pumping, and this one sure does the job. Some of the tracks, especially "Star Eyes," have grooves so rhythmic and soulful that they would make a hip-hop DJ jealous. Fans of great soul jazz will not be let down at "The Jazz Workshop.""

If You Like Jazz Piano Trios...

J. Rich | 01/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Then you'll want to pickup most of Barry Harris' trio work. On "At The Jazz Workshop" Barry Harris is joined by Sam Jones and Louis Hayes. This trio is remarkably tight and swing with great ease. Harris is in fine form as is his colleagues. Great selection of tunes and good recording considering its age. Anyone interested in bebop jazz piano trios, look no further than this gem. Highly recommended."