Barry Harris Live In New York CD

For jazz pianists, there's a lot to be said for reaching your early seventies. If your chops have held up -- and that's a big if, of course -- and the enthusiasm is still there, that combination of knowledge, experience, and technical skills can be a wonderful thing. Barry Harris was 72 when, in August 2002, Live in New York was recorded in a Big Apple club -- the credits and liner notes don't tell which one -- and the veteran pianist obviously hasn't lost anything in the chops department. He is in good to excellent form throughout this CD, which finds him leading a quintet that employs Charles Davis on tenor sax, Paul West on upright bass, Leroy Williams on drums, and Israeli improviser Roni Ben-Hur on guitar. Nothing groundbreaking occurs, but then, Harris was never groundbreaking to begin with. Even in his youth, Harris was a follower rather than a leader -- a pure, unapologetic bebopper who, like Sonny Stitt on the saxophone, excelled by sticking with the tried and proven instead of pushing jazz's envelope. And on Live in New York, the 72-year-old Harris maintains that hell-belt-for-bop outlook on three original pieces ("Monking Around," "To Dizzy With Love," and the congenial "7-4-3") as well as Tadd Dameron's intriguing "Casbah" and Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight." Yes, the latter has been beaten to death over the years -- some would argue that there needs to be a moratorium on "'Round Midnight" (for younger artists, anyway). But because Harris is old enough to remember the dawn of bebop, one ends up welcoming his inspired performance of a great but overdone standard that Orrin Keepnews has correctly described as "the national anthem of jazz." Live in New York falls short of essential, although it's a solid, rewarding effort that Harris' longtime fans will enjoy. ~ Alex Henderson

This recording documents a magical 60 minute set with the legendary pianist Barry Harris at his very best. Recorded live last August, Harris featured in the simpatico company of long time associates Charles Davis (tenor sax), Roni Ben-Hur (guitar), Paul

Recorded on August 17, 2002. Includes liner notes by Pete Malinverni.

Personnel: Barry Harris (piano); Charles Davis (tenor saxophone).

Audio Mixer: Jim Anderson .

Liner Note Author: Pete Malinverni.

Recording information: 08/17/2002.

Photographer: B. Robert Johnson.

Personnel: Barry Harris (piano); Charles Davis (tenor saxophone); Roni Ben-Hur (guitar); Paul West (bass); Leroy Williams (drums).