NEA Jazz Master Big Chief Donald Harrison will be performing at The Town Hall in New York City on January 11. The special concert is part of the 2024 NYC Winter JazzFest. Harrison's special guests Dave Holland, Charles Tolliver, Fred Wesley, Vernon Reid, DJ Logic, Joe Dyson, Arturo O'Farrill, Mike Clark, and Bill Summers for the debut performance of Omniverse Music.
Harrison’s multi-genre recording, “The Magic Touch,” solidifies him as the father of Omniverse music. Harrison, who has played with more than 200 classic jazz master of every jazz era and style, uses his unique history as The Big Chief of Congo Square to create his multi-genre singles.
Harrison spoke with WBGO's Doug Doyle about his career, his idol Charlie Parker, and the upcoming concert at The Town Hall.
"So many iconic concerts have taken place there. It's like the Village Vanguard. These places are historic and there's a feeling that permeates buildings like that. You can feel the history when you walk in. To be part of that history is a momentous occurrence in my lifetime. I'm very grateful to be able to play in that room. If you can to the concert, you'll know what I feel. I have so many innovators to share the stage with me."
The New Orleans native has become a "bridge" to so many generations of jazz eras and musicians. The saxophonist says he knows Charlie "Bird" Parker would enjoy what he's doing with the music these days. Harrison says he abides by Parker's quote "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn."
"I was in high school when I read that quote. It changed my idea with what I could do with music. I realized I was here in the birthplace of jazz and that I could learn the roots of the music and then go on and play with every era of jazz. At that time swing and bebop musicians were alive, the guys who played Miles Davis and John Coltrane were alive then too and then the young musicians would eventually come along. I lived all the music. I always looked at myself as a missing link. The person that's in the middle of all of that stuff. I was fortunate to be here at a time when a lot of the old timers were alive in the culture. They could teach me various aspects. That's why I started calling it Afro-New Orleans music after going to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and various other places. I always to try remember, because I came from dance culture here in New Orleans, to keep a dance feeling in the music. I'm always thinking about dancing when I'm playing. "
Who gets the credit for Harrison's deep commitment to the music and culture?
"I think my parents are the key ingredient of who I am today. When I was little I remember going to them when something silly would happen. I thought it was the end of the world. They always told me everybody has problems, but how is the person that's going to find the solutions? You have to find a solution. So, that's why I've always been a person looking for the next idea, the solution or the next logical way to move forward through hard work and diligence. I never thought I was deep. I just thought that was my job. Everybody has a purpose."
You can SEE the entire interview with Big Chief Donald Harrison here.
