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Wendell Harrison

Detroit-based jazz musician Wendell Harrison is a recording artist, performer, teacher, author and entrepreneur. His fame as a clarinetist and saxophonist has spread throughout the United States, Africa, The Caribbean, Middle East, and Europe. His instruction book, the Be Boppers Method Book I with accompanying CD and the Read more


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6
Reassessing

The Time Is Now!

Read "The Time Is Now!" reviewed by Joshua Weiner


The early '70s were difficult times in the United States, not least for the jazz community. The optimism of the flower-power and peace movements had given way to political radicalism, conflict and paranoia, and the excitement of the initial free jazz and jazz-fusion eras had begun to wane. John Coltrane and Albert Ayler were dead. Miles Davis was playing thick, unrelenting funk. Important record labels such as Columbia and Atlantic were largely pursuing multiplatinum rock acts rather than jazz. Some ...

18
Album Review

Phil Ranelin & Wendell Harrison: Jazz Is Dead 16

Read "Jazz Is Dead 16" reviewed by Chris May


There is much to love about Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad's Jazz Is Dead label and an equal amount to hate. The production duo's declared mission is “to foreground legends from the past" and “to highlight their contributions" to popular music in general and jazz in particular. Admirable. Spread the love. Trouble is, the results are inconsequential as often as they are substantial. When it works, as on bassist Henry Franklin's Jazz Is Dead 14 (2022), the music will ...

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35

Recording

A New Message From The Tribe ...Jazz Great Wendell Harrison Is Back With A New Release, "It’s About Damn Time," His First As A Leader In Seven Years

A New Message From The Tribe ...Jazz Great Wendell Harrison Is Back With A New Release, "It’s About Damn Time," His First As A Leader In Seven Years

Source: John Shetler

Co-founder of the legendary Tribe record label and collective in the 1970's, Jazz saxophonist Wendell Harrison has long been known for creating exciting projects, having played with important jazz artists such as Eddie Harris, Grant Green, Eddie Jefferson and Sun Ra, as well as Motown artists Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin. Hot on the heels of a successful reunion with the original Tribe members that yielded an album and international tour with Techno artist Carl Craig, Wendell Harrison has assembled ...

"That noble wooden instrument, the clarinet has a few heroes these days. Buddy DeFranco, Eddie Daniels, Alvin Batiste, the late John Carter, and Don Byron are integrating it into the contemporary language of improvised music., Add to that list Detroiter Wendell Harrison." Michael G. Nastos - DOWNBEAT

"Wendell Harrison's RUSH & HUSTLE is something new under the sun." Thomas Conrad - DOWNBEAT

"Wendell Harrison is a composer , author, and educator as well as a skilled and versatile woodwind player." Tom Jacobson - JAZZ TIMES

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Jazz Is Dead 16

Jazz Is Dead
2023

buy

The Time Is Now!

Now-Again Records
2021

buy

It's About Damn Time

Enja Records
2011

buy

Rush & Hustle

Enja Records
1999

buy

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