Donald Harrison
I heard a story today on NPR about the distinct voice of rapper Biggie Smalls (they described his sound as wheezy and humid). I also learned that jazz musician Donald Harrison, who played a concert here last summer, provided some early musical mentorship for BIG.
Harrison also talked about their connection in an interview on Afropop.
Donald Harrison, cookin
The King of Nouveau Swing Donald Harrison, Jr. brought his bold sax (plus dance moves) to Syracuse last week and spiced up the Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival like a plate of red beans and rice. His band members, average age about 19, were the perfect compliment and despite the rain, they belted out enough flavor to make Clinton Square sound more like Congo Square…at least for an hour or so.
Maceo Parker
Music from the saxophone can be described as hard, harsh, munificent, ethereal, soft, muted, brash or clean. But Maceo Parker asks, “whatchu know about funk?”
Parker played a three-hour set Monday night at the Westcott Theater that was a musical mind trip. The show featured tributes to New Orleans jazz, the folk soul of Ray Charles, rapid-fire GoGo of Chuck Brown and even a funky introduction to Shakespeare’s Hamlet (“To Be or Not to Be”)
Parker’s superior musicianship and ebullient stage presence are obviously the keys to his longevity. In his hands, the future of funk is secure.