Eddie Harris

Biography

Eddie Harris was born on October 20, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, where his early musical education began in Baptist churches and at home under the guidance of his cousin, who taught him piano by ear. He attended DuSable High School, where the influential music educator Captain Walter Dyett introduced him to the clarinet, vibraphone, and saxophone, shaping his foundational skills. After further studies at Illinois and Roosevelt Universities, Harris was drafted into the Army, where he excelled musically and performed with Army bands in Germany and France, even taking classical saxophone lessons at the Paris Conservatory.

Harris’s professional career took off with his 1961 recording of the theme from 'Exodus,' which became a pop hit and earned him a gold record. He became renowned for his technical innovation, being one of the first jazz musicians to amplify the saxophone with a Varitone attachment and inventing hybrid instruments like the 'reed trumpet.' His composition 'Freedom Jazz Dance' became a jazz standard after being recorded by Miles Davis. Harris's collaborations with pianist Les McCann, especially their 1969 album 'Swiss Movement' recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival, brought him international acclaim and a Grammy nomination. Throughout his career, Harris explored soul jazz, jazz funk, and hard bop, and was known for blending humor and experimentation into his performances.

Eddie Harris’s legacy is marked by his relentless innovation, genre-blending style, and influence on generations of jazz musicians. He continued to perform and record prolifically until his death in Los Angeles on November 5, 1996, leaving behind a body of work that remains vital to the evolution of modern jazz.

Fun Facts

• Eddie Harris was one of the first jazz musicians to amplify the saxophone using a Varitone attachment, pioneering the use of electronics in jazz performance.
• He invented several hybrid instruments, including the 'reed trumpet' (a trumpet with a saxophone mouthpiece) and the 'saxobone' (a saxophone with a trombone mouthpiece).
• His hit 'Exodus' sold over a million copies, earning him a gold record—an unusual feat for a jazz instrumentalist at the time.
• Harris incorporated stand-up comedy and humorous songs into his later performances, blending entertainment with jazz.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Captain Walter Dyett - High school music director who taught Harris clarinet, vibraphone, and saxophone at DuSable High School, shaping his early musical development. (DuSable High School band performances) [Late 1940s–early 1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Les McCann - Frequent collaborator; together they recorded the landmark album 'Swiss Movement' and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. ('Swiss Movement' (1969), 'Compared to What') [Late 1960s–early 1970s]
• Miles Davis - Davis recorded Harris's composition 'Freedom Jazz Dance,' helping to establish it as a jazz standard. ('Freedom Jazz Dance' (as recorded by Miles Davis on 'Miles Smiles')) [1966]
• Steve Winwood and Jeff Beck - Collaborated on jazz/rock fusion projects in the UK. (Jazz/rock album sessions) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Miles Davis - Davis was inspired by Harris's composition and innovations, recording 'Freedom Jazz Dance' and incorporating electric sounds. ('Miles Smiles', electric period) [1966 onward]
• Modern jazz saxophonists - Harris's use of electronics and hybrid instruments influenced later generations of jazz and funk saxophonists. (Various) [1970s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Compared to What - Live at Montreux Jazz Festival (Swiss Movement (Montreux 30th Anniversary))
2. I Don't Want Nobody (I Need Some Money)
3. It's All Right Now (That Is Why You're Overweight)
4. Listen Here (The Electrifying Eddie Harris / Plug Me In)
5. Compared to What
6. Funkorama (Bird of Stone)
7. Compared to What - Live (Compared to What)
8. Willow Weep for Me (Bird of Stone)
9. More Soul, Than Soulful (Cool Sax, Warm Heart)
10. Cold Duck Time - Live at Montreux Jazz Festival (Swiss Movement (Montreux 30th Anniversary))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #hard-bop, #jazz, #jazz-fusion