New York City based guitarist/ composer and DC native Joel Harrison returns to Blues Alley Mon. Oct. 3. Joel Harrison and his quartet perform music from his latest Highnote release “Harrison on Harrison", Jazz explorations of George Harrison's songs, as well as from the Free Country project. Featuring saxophonist Dave Binney and drummer Allison Miller (also a DC native).
Joel's latest project reinvents George Harrison's songs with improvisational, textural, harmonic, and rhythmic twists. He has a unique perspective, roaming in a multitude of directions, delighting in surprise and contrast while never losing the soul of the song. Fans of George Harrison will be thrilled that for once it is he, not Lennon and McCartney's, who is front and center. Harrison will also perform work from his Free Country project, startlingly original Jazz arrangements of old Country and Appalachian music. Critics from around the world have praised this work as “the music of the future" (Irish Times) and “singularly original and visionary" (Times of London). The group features saxophonist David Binney, whose solo work and efforts with Chris Potter, Uri Caine, Brian Blade, etc. have earned him critics awards in Downbeat magazine and around the world. D.C. native Allison Miller is one of the most sought after young drummers and has performed with Natalie Merchant, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Marty Ehrlich. Stephan Crump, who plays with Jen Chapin, Vijay Iyer and others, is on upright bass.
--Mon., Oct. 3: Blues Alley, Washington D.C. shows at 8 and 10 pm, $18 1073 Wisconsin Ave. 202 337 4141
-Tues., Oct. 4: Gravity Lounge, Charlottesville VA 8 pm, $7 adv. $10 door 103 South 1st St., Charlottesville 434 977 5590 www.joelharrison.com
Joel's latest project reinvents George Harrison's songs with improvisational, textural, harmonic, and rhythmic twists. He has a unique perspective, roaming in a multitude of directions, delighting in surprise and contrast while never losing the soul of the song. Fans of George Harrison will be thrilled that for once it is he, not Lennon and McCartney's, who is front and center. Harrison will also perform work from his Free Country project, startlingly original Jazz arrangements of old Country and Appalachian music. Critics from around the world have praised this work as “the music of the future" (Irish Times) and “singularly original and visionary" (Times of London). The group features saxophonist David Binney, whose solo work and efforts with Chris Potter, Uri Caine, Brian Blade, etc. have earned him critics awards in Downbeat magazine and around the world. D.C. native Allison Miller is one of the most sought after young drummers and has performed with Natalie Merchant, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Marty Ehrlich. Stephan Crump, who plays with Jen Chapin, Vijay Iyer and others, is on upright bass.
--Mon., Oct. 3: Blues Alley, Washington D.C. shows at 8 and 10 pm, $18 1073 Wisconsin Ave. 202 337 4141
-Tues., Oct. 4: Gravity Lounge, Charlottesville VA 8 pm, $7 adv. $10 door 103 South 1st St., Charlottesville 434 977 5590 www.joelharrison.com
For more information contact All About Jazz.
