Jazz Articles about Gene Harris

Gene Harris/Scott Hamilton Quintet: At Last

by John Kelman
April 7, 2004

As part of Concord Records’ programme to release classic recordings on hybrid Super Audio CD (SACD) comes At Last , a 1990 session that finally realized pianist Gene Harris’ wish to record with tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton. For fans of mainstream jazz that leans to the West Coast sound, this is a fine record that swings comfortably; safe, but full of life.

Harris, who has released over thirty-five recordings as a leader and over seventy as a sideman, has an ...

Gene Harris Quartet: Listen Here!

by C. Michael Bailey
October 9, 2003

This reissue of Listen Here ! is part of a larger release program promoted by Concord Jazz during the label's 30th Anniversary year, which also includes the re-release of 30 important recordings from the vault in the SACD/hybrid format. All of these releases are compatible with standard CD players as well as the multi-channel SACD player. A similar technology was used on the late sixties Rolling Stones recordings Beggar’s Banquet, Let it Bleed, and Get Yer Ya Yas Out. In ...

Gene Harris: Gene Harris - Ballad Essentials

by C. Michael Bailey
February 13, 2003

Gene Harris had no peer as a blues pianist. Just as Fred Hersch is the king of ballads, Harris was the king of the blues. But let’s consider his ballad prowess: he recorded many, and some of his best are collected on Concord Jazz’s newest addition to the Ballad Essentials series.

Harris manages to infuse all of his ballad performances with enough blue notes to endow the pieces with his unmistakable personality. That is not such a challenge ...

The Gene Harris Superband: Big Band Soul

by Jack Bowers
August 2, 2002

This admirable two-disc reissue encompasses two colorful albums recorded more than a decade ago by the late pianist Gene Harris and his star-laden Superband, Live at Town Hall, NYC (1989) and World Tour 1990. As one who owns both earlier albums I'd have no reason to part with any hard-earned cash for this one, but those who overlooked them the first time around may wish to take advantage of the chance to add a pair of impressive big-band albums to ...

Gene Harris Trio: Live at Otter Crest

by C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2001

Concord's second posthumous Gene Harris release screams with the master bluesman's talent, finding him in equal company with John Heard and Jimmie Smith under the only circumstances Harris should ever be heard-- Live .

This disc starts out with a soul as big as the universe and continues to expand as the non-metaphorical one does. Recorded live at the Inn at Otter Crest in Oregon in 1981, the late Gene Harris was found in his best form. Whether upbeat ("Sweet ...

Gene Harris: Live At Otter Crest

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2001

Concord has now released the second Gene Harris CD after his passing early last year. Unlike some of the other Concord 2-CD sets that honor the label’s esteemed artists, Live At Otter Crest instead captures Gene Harris’ irresistible style live in a club setting with just bass and drums back-up.And a club setting is where Harris excels--in front of an audience, feeding off its energy and communicating instantaneously from the tips of his fingers to the souls of ...

Gene Harris: Gene Harris: The Best Of The Concord Years

by AAJ Staff
January 1, 2001

The passing of Gene Harris in early 2000 affected enthusiasts around the world with yet another sense of profound loss. The word “yet” is used because unfortunately it seems that hardly a month goes by without the passing of another jazz artist who has touched listeners with a sense of joy and inspiration.Concord Jazz helped to resurrect Harris’ recording career--as the label did with other legendary performers like Tito Puente, Mel Tormé or Rosemary Clooney--after Harris moved to ...