Jazz Musician, Composer. Harris studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago under famed director Captain Walter Dyett and later at Illinois University and Roosevelt University. He was drafted into the US Army in the late 1950s and gained recognition performing in the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra in Germany. He also studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music while in the army. After his release Harris began his recording career and is credited with being the first jazz musician to achieve gold record status. The award was given in 1961 for his single "Exodus" on Vee Jay Records. The tune was his version of the theme from the movie of the same name. Harris also composed the Miles Davis classic "Freedom Jazz Dance" and performed with Les McCann on the best selling album "Swiss Movement," from their performance together at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1969. In the 1970's Harris performed with rock musicians Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood and Albert Lee, among others, while continuing his eclectic and experimental solo career. In all he recorded over seventy albums and continued recording until shortly before his death.
Jazz Musician, Composer. Harris studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago under famed director Captain Walter Dyett and later at Illinois University and Roosevelt University. He was drafted into the US Army in the late 1950s and gained recognition performing in the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra in Germany. He also studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music while in the army. After his release Harris began his recording career and is credited with being the first jazz musician to achieve gold record status. The award was given in 1961 for his single "Exodus" on Vee Jay Records. The tune was his version of the theme from the movie of the same name. Harris also composed the Miles Davis classic "Freedom Jazz Dance" and performed with Les McCann on the best selling album "Swiss Movement," from their performance together at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1969. In the 1970's Harris performed with rock musicians Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood and Albert Lee, among others, while continuing his eclectic and experimental solo career. In all he recorded over seventy albums and continued recording until shortly before his death.
Bio by: Don M
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