Biography
DJ Harrison, born Devonne Harris in 1988 in Petersburg, Virginia, grew up immersed in music through his father Lovander Shelton Jr., a radio DJ on Magic 99 FM who exposed him to funk, R&B, and soul, and his music aficionado mother with an extensive vinyl collection. He developed perfect pitch and musical talent early, joining the drumline at Thomas Dale High School in 2002, where band director Jason Morehouse and other instructors nurtured his skills as a multi-instrumentalist. Harrison evolved into a versatile producer and player, blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B, soul, funk, and rock into a unique style of Black American Music, often recording himself playing all instruments or sampling his own chops.
His career gained momentum as a session musician and band member, including with Butcher Brown—a garage punk jazz funk group—and The Spacebomb House Band, while building a solo catalog on Stones Throw Records with albums like HazyMoods, Tales From The Old Dominion (2021, inspired by Black Lives Matter protests and Richmond's history), Shades of Yesterday (2024, covers of deep cuts from his heroes), and the surprise hit A DJHarrison Xmas. A two-time GRAMMY nominee for contributions to Kurt Elling’s albums, he has produced for Phonte, Steve Arrington, Pink Siifu, Joyce Wrice, Jack White, Natalie Prass, and Sherman Holmes, showcasing his genre-blurring prowess.
Harrison's legacy lies in his homespun, experimental hip-hop and psychedelic funk sound, rooted in self-production and influences from Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, D’Angelo, P-Funk, and Ohio Players, while pushing boundaries through reel-to-reel recording and multi-tracking techniques honed on childhood karaoke machines. Based in Richmond, Virginia, he continues to innovate, reflecting personal and cultural narratives in his work.
Fun Facts
- DJ Harrison has perfect pitch, identified by high school teachers, allowing him to play or sing any note without reference.
- His surprise Christmas album A DJHarrison Xmas, initially planned as temporary, became one of his most popular releases and impressed inspiration Ohbliv.
- He often multi-tracks using techniques from childhood karaoke machines and reel-to-reel recording for his lo-fi, characterful sound.
- Harrison's father hosted a radio show featuring funk, R&B, and soul deep cuts, sparking his early record collecting.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jason Morehouse - High school band director who recognized his perfect pitch and pushed his development hardest (Thomas Dale High School drumline) [2002 onwards]
Key Collaborators
- Butcher Brown - Band member in garage punk jazz funk group (Solar Music album) [Ongoing]
- Corey Fonville - Butcher Brown bandmate who encouraged Christmas album (A DJHarrison Xmas) [Pre-2022]
- Pink Siifu - Guest appearance and production collaborator (Tales From The Old Dominion)
- Kurt Elling - Contributor earning GRAMMY nominations (Elling’s recent albums) [Recent years]
- Phonte - Production work (Various compositions) [Ongoing]
Artists Influenced
- Ohbliv - One of his biggest inspirations who appreciated his Christmas record (A DJHarrison Xmas) [Post-release]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Harrison has been played 40 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.