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An innovative pianist, composer and arranger, Lafayette Harris Jr. has quickly established himself as an important new voice on the musical scene.
In addition to touring with his own group, Harris has performed throughout the United States and Europe with some of the top names in jazz, including Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Hendricks, Stanley Turrentine, Lionel Hampton and Al Grey. As musical director to the hit show, Songs My Mother Taught Me, his collaborative efforts with Melba Moore helped to launch a successful national tour for the Tony Award-winning vocalist. He also has recorded with
Slide Hampton, Barbara Morrison and John Gordon, among others. Now based in New York City, Lafayette Harris Jr.
began performing professionally at 16 –playing R&B, funk and pop with dance bands in Baltimore. He excelled in the Preparatory Program at Peabody Conse1Vatory and later graduated from Oberlin Conse1Vatory. Harris continued to hone his jazz chops under the tutelage of fellow pianist Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, where he received a Masters degree in jazz performance.
Harris' first solo outing, LAFAYETTE IS HERE, took him to the next level of his musical journey. Released in 1993, the recording allowed him to explore the breadth of his abilities as a composer as well as a leader. Drawing from his array of experiences to incorporate the old into the creation of something new, Harris assembled a stellar group of young musicians to carry out his mission - Terell Stafford on trumpet; Don Braden, tenor; Lonnie Plaxico, bass; and Cindy Blackman, drums. The recording, produced by Cecil Brooks III, captured solid spots on national jazz charts and continues to gamer airplay around the world.
Writer Suzanne McElfresh says in the release's liner notes, "Every year as a new generation of new musicians emerges, the viability of jazz is reinforced, the music's vibrancy affirmed. Such is the case with Lafayette Harris Jr."
Judging from his steady rise up the charts and his increasingly busy schedule, there's no doubt about it - Lafayette Harris is here !
“… Lafayette Harris Jr is a phenomenal new voice on the music scene today!”
- MAX ROACH
Legendary drummer, professor and innovator in American music.
"Eloquent, inventive, sensitive..."
-MELBA MOORE
Tony Award-winning singer/actress
"Lafayette...has now joined the ranks of the 'Young lions! "
-KENNY BARRON
Pianist, Verve recording artist, Grammy nominee
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