Artist: Gene Harris, Jack McDuff, Ernie Watts, Red Holloway - Click Here
Gene Harris
Combining jazz virtuosity at the piano with bluesy funkiness, Gene Harris has had three careers: as leader of the mainstream band, the Three Sounds, then as leader of a funky jazz aggregation of the same name; and currently back in the mainstream.Harris was born in Benton Harbor, Mich., on Sept. 1, 1933, and taught himself to play boogie woogie style piano by listening the records of Gene Ammons and Pete Johnson. After playing in Army bands during his service ('51-'54), Harris formed a band with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bill Dowdy that became the Three Sounds. The group's debut was released in '56; its success led to their move to New York City in '58. The group, with its various lineups, recorded regularly on Verve and Blue Note until 1970. After that the personnel changed under Harris' leadership, becoming more r&b-oriented, and its size swelled beyond the original trio format.
In '77, Harris moved to Boise, Idaho -- withdrawn from the national scene but not from playing -- where he stayed until Ray Brown persuaded him to end his "retirement" in the early '80s. After a stint in Brown's trio, Harris formed his own quartet and has recorded regularly for Concord ever since. He has also led the Phillip Morris Super Band on several tours.
1/20/00 Gene Harris, 66, DiesPianist Gene Harris, a cornerstone of the popular Blue Note and Verve recording group the Three Sounds with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bill Dowdy from 1956-'70, died Sunday, Jan. 16, at his home in Boise, Idaho. He had been awaiting a kidney transplant. He was 66.
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