A ranch-hand skirts his horse along-side 300 head of cattle. His hat hangs in a 1968 Airstream parked on a Washington ranch, bordering five peaks eyeing down on the Columbia River. Towering wind-mills sing, groan, and boom as they cut through the steady wind amongst the bawling and the churning rustle of hoofs. There is music here. This is Jordan Baron in his element. This is the soul of Harrison B.
Lascassas, Tennessee born, Jordan Baron came up as most southerners do, with music everywhere. Surrounded by the country, roots, traditional folk, and blues he learned from the guitar on his Grandfather’s knee. Car rides with Mom brought the oldies, and Dad’s truck thumped southern-rock and James Brown. On pop radio, hip-hop dominated the air with innovative production and beats. He began making music, and once grown left the South on a 4,000 mile journey North to discover his sound, and himself.
“At the time, Nashville just didn’t want to hear what I had to say. I was looking for a space big enough to hold my imagination, and Alaska seemed a good place to start.”
West coast influence brought indie rock while trekking the wild places along the way. He ended up in Juneau, AK and began performing for the locals. Those performances continued to grow until the bars were full, spilling Harrison B into performance halls opening for national acts. Continually forging his new direction, he left Alaska and traded one far perspective for another. In Uganda, Africa he wrote the first “Harrison B” song. He was establishing the style he embodies today, and once returned to Tennessee, Harrison B was born.
“Things happen when you travel that awaken parts of you untouched. Being paced by a Bobcat… Facing a mother bear… Singing in ice caves below a glacier… Watching the sun set at the Equator… I know these moments are in my music.”
He describes his unique Alternative as “Progressive American Soul” ~ an innovative meld of multiple genres veining seamlessly within a strong foundation of blues and soul. Immersive lyrical storylines touch deeper than the surface, spurning the listener to explore their own emotions.
“To this day, every new genre I find, I see a new angle of expression. I allow myself the freedom to bring facets of genre together, and in doing so create a unique genre. My goal is to enable the listener the freedom to explore music, as boldly as I look to do.”
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In 2015, A new body of work amassed while touring. In Alaska, he had found where he would record a new album, titled ARENA. The project was crowd-funded while Harrison embarked on the 10,000 mile return drive from Nashville, TN to Anchorage, AK.
ARENA is a 10-track pilgrimage guiding the listener down the winding roads of perseverance and discovery. The production echoes his story with a quilting of genres. His raw, honest vocal delivery stands as an anchor for his sound. Pulsing rhythm and hook-sensibility grab the listener from track one, as each plays through with individuality, all-the-while remaining in-line with the album’s cohesion.
ARENA showcases Harrison’s recording chops and musicianship. He co-produced the album, performing all instrument and vocal tracks (excluding drums) with few exceptions. [Highlights such as “With A Smile On”— an original twist on an alternative rock sound (i.e. Black Keys/Red Hot Chili Peppers); “I’m Only— A blues rock packed hammer of brutal honesty (i.e. Gary Clark Jr., Rage Against The Machine); ”Bleeding Hearts And Broken Hands”— this lyrical short story spans a Bollywood-Rock inspired verse with a Springsteen-anthem chorus; and “Kookaburra”— a quick, lyrical, tongue-twisting cut accompanied by a sticky, tribal rhythm reminiscent of Citizen Cope] �
At the release of ARENA, in late 2015, Harrison B was generating a serious buzz as an independent artist, and caught the attention of producers at NBC’s “The Voice.” As he began promotion of the release of ARENA in early 2016, Harrison B met with a private invitation that would lead to his blind-audition. Those obligations forced him to put the (album)(project)(his music)?? on hold.
“While it was an off-and-on year-long commitment, it was a great opportunity, and quite the experience.”
In 2017, it’s a different story. It marks the return of Harrison B, to the stage, performing with his Seattle-based power-trio as upcoming tours and new music continue to develop.
A true warrior, the multi-talented entertainer has paid his dues from the ground up. Beginning in bars and coffee shops, and building to opening for nationally renowned acts, festivals, and universities. All together he has toured consistently for over 6 years. With this knack for catering to diverse audiences and settings, he’s played stages canvassing all corners of North America.
Poised to become a founding father of a new direction in music, Harrison B is a visionary who is opening doors for a most-welcomed modern genre, and a movement all its own.
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