DONALD HARRISON

'Donald Harrison Jr.' (b. June 23, 1960, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American jazz saxophonist. Harrison played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 1980s, and co-led a group with fellow New Orleanian Terence Blanchard for many years. He also played with the re-formed Headhunters band in the 1990s. His performance credits include appearances and recordings with many influential jazz musicians. Harrison's records and live performances are in the jazz mainstream, but still manage to incorporate influences from many of the other styles that are prominent in his hometown. Harrison also performs in the smooth jazz genre. His group Donald Harrison Electric Band has recorded popular radio hits and have charted in the top ten of Billboard magazine. He performs in the traditional Mardi Gras Indian and Hiphop genres with his group, "The New Sounds of Mardi Gras." The group which has 2 recorded 2 CD's was started 4 years ago and has made appearances worldwide. Harrison is the Chief of the Congo Nation Mardi Gras Indians. Here is a partial list of Harrison's playing credit: Doc Paulin, Roy Haynes, Jack McDuff, Art Blakey, Eddie Palmieri, Nat Adderly, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Digable Planets, Jazzmatazz, Jennifer Holiday, Miles Davis, and the great Lena Horne. Harrison has been influential in nurturing a number of young musicians including the young Grammy nominated trumpeter Christian Scott (Harrison's nephew), Mark Whitfield, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, Dwayne Bruno and The Notorius B.I.G. Harrison was featured in Spike Lee's HBO documentary, "When The Levees Broke." Harrison also writes orchestral works for major orchestra's. Harrison was chosen as the person of the year by Jazziz magazine in January of 2007. His latest CD's, "3D Vol.'s I, II, and III," feature him in 3 different musical genres. On vol. I he writes, plays, and produces music in the smooth jazz, and r&b style. On vol. II he writes, produces and plays in the classic jazz style. On vol. III he writes plays and produces in the hiphop genre.
Harrison's father (Donald Harrison, Sr.) was a prominent Mardi Gras Indian in New Orleans.
Harrison was recently forced to evacuate New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and proceeds from his album ''Nouveau Swing'' will go to victims of the hurricanes.
While living in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Harrison would befriend a young Notorious B.I.G.

Contents

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With Irvin Mayfield

Select discography

With Irvin Mayfield

Released	Album	Artist	Label
2001-01-30	"How Passion Falls"	Irvin Mayfield	Basin Street Records
1998-?-?	"Irvin Mayfield"	Irvin Mayfield	Basin Street Records