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Stan Harrison

I was born in Philadelphia, Pa, and raised in New Jersey (it's not as bad as it's made out to be). Soon after graduating from college with an almost, no, make that totally useless degree in sociology ( I learned, for example, that upon meeting people for the first time, kicking them and offering to sit on their lap is considered unsocial behavior - except in certain parts of Utah) I started working and touring as a full time musician. Unfortunately nothing my parents said at the time was able to stop me from doing this. I might add that before this nosedive into the world of glory and back stage lunch meat I spent a summer driving a cab. My favorite rides were the ones involving taking three transvestites from Camden to Philadelphia to buy drugs. Mind you, at the time I had no idea they were doing this but later, in the comfort of the bottom bunk in a converted van going from Phila. to Orlando, Florida I had a few moments to reflect on my past and realized that throwing a rock at a third floor window, then disappearing and reappearing in 2 minutes only to return to the same place across the Ben Franklin bridge was not indicative of a "let's chat" moment. My second favorite ride was when I survived a threat to have my skull smashed in - I think that's how the three drunken construction workers put it. At this point I knew that I was good for only a few more months at this job. On the positive side I learned how to pump gas, drive a stick shift with the shift on the steering column (what do they call that?) and find my way to all the hidden treasures of Camden, New Jersey

Anyway, my first "real" band experience on a professional level (make that, semi-professional level - it's not professional until you don't have to back up a comedian - was with a band I'm sure everyone has heard of, THE DOVELLS. They were famous for such songs as The Bristol Stomp (one of the only dances I could sort of do) and you You Can't Sit Down (actually performed by Bruce Springsteen in the beginning of his career -don't expect him to play it too often these days). This lasted for about 7 months until that fateful day when the phone rang and I was told that SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES was looking for a tenor sax player. I was so excited that I decided to find out who they were. I did and went to the audition and, as the saying goes, "I got the gig". I then made a mental note to buy a tenor sax - I was playing an instrument I borrowed from my good friend, Jon Herington (currently Steely Dan's guitar player)

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136

Recording

Najma Akhtar Sings in Stan Harrison Video

Najma Akhtar Sings in Stan Harrison Video

Source: Seth Cohen PR

Singer Najma Akhtar, a world-renown pioneer in the fusion of jazz and Indian 'Ghazal', recently joined acclaimed saxophonist Stan Harrison at a video shoot for the title track of Harrison's upbeat new CD, 'The Optimist'.

The new video, the first from Harrison as a headliner, features trippy, retro visual effects, and was shot in New York City last month. Harrison's commanding, muscular solos are complemented by Akhtar's haunting vocals (her singing is also a highlight of the CD, which has ...

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Recording

Stan Harrison Hailed as "Devilishly Inventive Tenor"

Stan Harrison Hailed as "Devilishly Inventive Tenor"

Source: Seth Cohen PR

JazzTimes Raves: “A Devilishly Inventive Tenor;" “Not What You Might Expect;" “Heavenlike" “Somewhere in Between Jazz and Hard-Edged Pop" Harrison Soon to be Featured on Cover of Saxophone Journal Magazine Rock/jazz saxophonist Stan Harrison steps out of the shadows and into the national spotlight with his acclaimed CD, 'The Optimist'. In their March issue, JAZZTIMES Magazine praised Harrison as “a devilishly inventive tenor..." “Not what you might expect..." Critics have embraced the CD in recent months, and additional national coverage ...

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Recording

Stan Harrison Praised by Critics in JazzTimes

Stan Harrison Praised by Critics in JazzTimes

Source: Seth Cohen PR

"He Has a Hefty Tone that Sometimes Barks in Raspiness with a Rhythm-and-Blues Soulfulness" “The Rare Artist Who Still Knows How to Serve the Song Rather Than...the Showboating and Overplaying that Plague so Many Instrumentalists" Harrison to Perform with THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS at The Beacon in New York, 2/2/08 Critics continue to weigh in on 'The Optimist', by rock/jazz saxophonist Stan Harrison. Soon to be seen in JAZZTIMES Magazine, Harrison has performed with and/or appeared on albums by some ...

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Recording

Veteran Stan Harrison: Suddenly "Emerging Artist"

Veteran Stan Harrison: Suddenly "Emerging Artist"

Source: Seth Cohen PR

He can “Make the Saxophone Come Alive with Total Energy, Roar with Passion..." “Harrison cites John Coltrane as an inspiration, but his own sax work can be heard on many influential rock recordings of recent decades..." Rock/jazz saxophonist Stan Harrison, a seasoned veteran who has performed with and/or appeared on albums by some of music's most respected bands/singers (including David Bowie, Talking Heads, Radiohead, Duran Duran, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, They Might Be Giants, and more...) finds himself ...

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Performance / Tour

Stan Harrison Hits Road with They Might Be Giants & Duran Duran

Stan Harrison Hits Road with They Might Be Giants & Duran Duran

Source: Seth Cohen PR

Praise Follows Harrison, as He Hits the Road with They Might Be Giants Dates with Duran Duran Added to Itinerary “...what drives Harrison to play iconic parts in songs by the likes of David Bowie and Radiohead also drives him to write and record his own songs..." Stan Harrison's New CD The Optimist is an Upbeat Mix of Jazz, Classical, Pop and World Music Rock/jazz saxophonist Stan Harrison has spent years performing with some of the most respected artists and ...

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Recording

Stan Harrison's Upbeat "The Optimist" Features Philip Bailey, Phoebe Snow, Andy Vargas & Najma Akhtar

Stan Harrison's Upbeat "The Optimist" Features Philip Bailey, Phoebe Snow, Andy Vargas & Najma Akhtar

Source: Seth Cohen PR

Philip Bailey, Phoebe Snow, Andy Vargas and others Contribute Vocals to Stan Harrison's Upbeat New CD Tour Dates with They Might Be Giants Set for October and November in CT, MA, OH, IN, WI, IL, D.C. , PA New York-based rock/jazz saxophonist Stan Harrison may not yet be a household name, but he's been a superstar to some of the most respected artists and bands in the world. Stan's sax has been heard on albums by David Bowie, Talking Heads, ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Optimist

Self Produced
2007

buy

Lost At The Carnival

Lipstick Records
1995

buy

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