Craig Harris

Craig Harris

Craig Harris in 2007
Background information
Birth name Craig S. Harris
Born September 10, 1953
Origin Hempstead, New York, US
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Trombone, Didgeridoo
Years active 1976–present
Labels India Navigation, Soul Note, JMT
Associated acts Abdullah Ibrahim, David Murray, Lester Bowie, Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Muhal Richard Abrams and Charlie Haden.
Website craigsharris.com

Craig S. Harris (born September 10, 1953) is a jazz trombonist and composer who has been a major figure in the jazz avant-garde movement since his stint with Sun Ra in 1976. Subsequently, Harris has worked with such notable jazz artists as Abdullah Ibrahim, David Murray, Lester Bowie, Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Muhal Richard Abrams and Charlie Haden. Harris has also recorded since 1983 as leader for labels like India Navigation, Soul Note and JMT. For the latter he recorded with two different groups: the Tailgaters Tails was a quintet with clarinetist Don Byron, trumpeter Edward E. J. Allen, Anthony Cox on bass and Pheeroan akLaff on drums. His large ensemble project Cold Sweat was a tribute to the music of James Brown.

Harris was born in Hempstead, New York. He is a graduate of the music program of State University of New York College at Old Westbury, and was profoundly influenced by its founder and director Makanda Ken McIntyre. Harris's move to New York City in 1978 quickly established him in the forefront of young trombonists, including Ray Anderson, George Lewis and Joseph Bowie.[1]

He first played alongside another of his teachers at SUNY, baritone saxophonist Pat Patrick, in Sun Ra's Arkestra for two years. Harris than embarked on a world tour with South African pianist/composer Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) in 1981. While on tour in Australia Harris discovered the Indigenous Australian wind instrument, the didgeridoo, which he added to the collection of instruments he plays.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Muhal Richard Abrams

With Ray Anderson, George Lewis and Gary Valente

With Ayibobo

With Billy Bang

With Lester Bowie

With Don Byron

With Carla Cook

With Lena Horne

With Dollar Brand

With Joseph Jarman & Don Moye

With David Murray

With The Roots

With Sekou Sundiata

With Sun Ra

With Henry Threadgill

With the World Saxophone Quartet

With The Young Lions

References

  1. ↑ Craig Harris Bio