Jazz Articles about Harvie S

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Harvie S: Funky Cha

by Jerry D'Souza
April 18, 2006

The Latin jazz beat goes on, and Harvie S takes his turn to profile the music on Funky Cha. The bassist works with a core quartet, augmenting it with four other musicians; all eight appear on “Mariposa en Mano.

The music finds its muse in the various styles that make up the body of Latin jazz. Even Thelonious Monk does not escape treatment. So how does “Rhythm-a-ning work? Well indeed, to the beat of the rumba. Jay ...

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Harvie S: Texas Rumba

by Ken Franckling
July 4, 2004

The bassist formerly known as Harvie Swartz discovered something over the course of his varied career in jazz. Whenever he worked with a Latin band, he found it is nearly impossible for musicians and fans alike not to get caught up in the swaying, percussive and often steamy energy created on stage.

Afro-Cuban music and other Latin forms carry on a tradition once shared with mainstream jazz fifty and sixty years ago when it was a vital part of America’s ...

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Harvie Swartz: Urban Earth & Smart Moves

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 10, 2004

One of the pleasures of doing a column like this is in seeing an album finally make the leap from obscurity to compact disc reissue. Additionally, I enjoy hearing from others who have taken pleasure from the records I’ve highlighted over the past few years. From this latter category, I’ve had the recent satisfaction of receiving an e-mail from bassist Harvie S. in regards to last month’s profile of the ECM album Dawn by Double Image. As a charter member ...

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Harvie S: Texas Rumba

by Jim Santella
March 3, 2004

Bridging the gap between Afro-Cuban jazz and modern jazz, Harvie S issues ten original pieces and one classic standard in support of the argument that Latin jazz consists of equal parts Latin and jazz.

The leader’s 1996 visit to Cuba offered him the opportunity to study with masters in the field. Politics aside, that cultural blend has to be nurtured. A large body of musical veterans resides in Havana, and remains inaccessible to many outside the country. ...

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Harvie S: Texas Rumba

by Franz A. Matzner
January 17, 2004

Bassist/Composer Harvie S made two good decisions when producing his latest release, Texas Rumba : he emphasized his turn towards Latin Jazz, and he recorded it live, thus presenting to best advantage his bands ability to build energy, keep loose, and entertain.

Unfortunately, the latter choice compromised the sound quality, leaving the recording at times muddy and soft. Despite this handicap, Texas Rumba captures on disc Harvie S’s transformation into a full-blown Latin jazz enthusiast. In fact, ...

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Harvie S: Texas Rumba

by C. Michael Bailey
January 16, 2004

Recorded live (as are all great jazz albums), Texas Rumba thunders with adore y la alegra. It is Latin Jazz fresh and crisp as spring tomatoes and cilantro. Harvie S (AKA Harvie Swartz) is an exceptional bassist, composer, and band leader who has immersed himself in the Latin music pabulum, transforming the style into a innovative and critical entity. Integral to this evolution is his working quintet, who, together, is sharp as razors. Harvie S founded the group Eye Contact ...

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Harvie S & Eye Contact: New Beginning

by Jack Bowers
September 1, 2002

Bassist Harvie S (formerly Harvie Swartz) has made a New Beginning by producing an album that uses a variety of Latin rhythms to enliven what is essentially the sort of smooth Jazz that one must endure on so many radio stations these days. That's not to say there's no substance here; the ensemble plays well together, and Harvie's tunes (he wrote all of them except “African Heartbeat") are not devoid of charm or interest. But everything is scrupulously middle-of-the-road and ...