SAXOPHONIST, “BIG CHIEF” DONALD HARRISON LIVE AT THE JAZZ STANDARD

Alto saxophonist DONALD HARRISON, also known as the “Big Chief of the Congo Square Nation,” brought progressive jazz, funk, and the spirit of New Orleans root music to the Jazz Standard in a “throw-down” of epic proportions.

Harrison’s multi-generational band, featuring veteran Detroit Brooks on guitar and rising stars Conun Pappas on piano (sitting in for Zaccai Curtis), Max Moran on bass, Joe Dyson on drums, along with guest artist trombonist and shell player Steve Turre, took the audience on a soulful, toe-tapping journey that begged the question, “Where’s the dance floor?”

The set took flight with Harrison’s jazz-funk composition, Free to Be, followed by an entertaining and highly elucidating demonstration of how he took the bass line of a James Brown song and overlaid a swing rhythm on drums and piano to create the jazzy yet danceable (as he proved on stage) hybrid he calls “Nouveau Swing.” Shortly after, Harrison shifted to the yearning beauty of Lover Man, a showcase for Steve Turre’s crisp “bop” articulation and warm balladry. From there, the band moved seamlessly into an interpretation of the Ray Noble gem, Cherokee, aka Indian Love Song, offering the audience a rare opportunity to observe a brilliant interchange between Harrison and Turre, not merely as saxophonist and trombonist but as two acolytes of the school of Art Blakey strutting their stuff.

Harrison’s New Orleans youngsters had a chance to show off their expertise on sizzling versions of the Mardi Gras Indian standard Cissy Strut and the Meters’ Hey Pockey Way. Pianist Conun Pappas maintained a shimmying filigree on the piano in counterpoint to Max Moran’s sensuous and grinding groove on bass; Joe Dyson brought down the house with a ferocious drum solo that channeled Baby Dodds and Roy Haynes simultaneously.

Harrison sang, chanted, moved, grooved, and blew into a new chapter of jazz history with beautiful music and rhythm that merges r&b, hip-hop, soul, and the traditional chants and drumming of Afro-New Orleans with modern jazz.

Kudos to the Jazz Standard for bringing Harrison and company to New York. Here’s hoping they return soon.

FEATURED PHOTO: Alfonso Bresciani

Special Thanks to April Thebeault and Dita Sullivan.