About Barry Harris
“I guess you could say Barry Harris is one of the very last of the bebop purists that we have on piano. He is a living and brilliant extension of Bud Powell.”
Walter Bishop Jr.
“I’ve always thought that if Charlie Parker had played piano, he would sound exactly like Barry Harris. Or is it the other way around? In any case, Barry’s sense of time, motion, and rhythm is absolutely impeccable.”
Benny Golson
“A list of Harris’ graduates reads like a Who’s Who of Jazz; among them are Paul Chambers, Curtis Fuller, Joe Henderson, Lonnie Hillyer, Yusef Lateef, Hugh Lawson, Kirk Lightsey, Charles McPherson, and Doug Watkins.” “Harris’ (method) is unique in both its emphasis and detail, for it teaches students precisely how to transform the (basic theoretical) elements into credible phrases and focuses as much upon the creative processes of improvisation as upon its products, effectively clarifying the relationship between theory and performance practice in the jazz tradition.” “Harris’ theory is an expansive generative method. It encourages musicians to create original phrases based, in part, on the cross-fertilization of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic models embodied in the rules Harris promulgates.”
Excerpts from ‘Thinking in Jazz’, by Paul F. Berliner, University of Chicago Press 1994
What Others Have Said
“Hi Alan, Just received a copy of your Book. I have been fascinated by this method. You have laid it out so beautifully and I am going to work on it..I have had the opportunity to play with Barry a few times over the years. He is truly a master and as you well know he was the first cat to teach jazz in a logical way. I remember Pat Martino telling me about his diminished approach way back in the ’70s. He and Barry have been very successful with the diminished approach. Great work and may I bug you with a question or two along the way. Thank you for this book. Great work!!!”
Vic Juris