Harry Whitaker Trio

The Sound Of Harry Whitaker

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A Delicious Blend Of Bop & Improv From The Piano Genius of Jazz.

tracks

: 1 Our Day Will Come
: 2 The Fishin' Hole
: 3 Equinox
: 4 Srangers in Paradise
: 5 Take Me Out to the Ballgame
: 6 Moonlight in Vermont
: 7 Gal in Calico
: 8 More Than You Know
: 9 Wee

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notes

Reading Harry Whitaker's resume and discography is overwhelming. From the pages of concerts, world tours, and high profile performances to gold records, hit recordings and acting as music director, arranger, composer and piano player to some of the great artists of contemporary music and jazz, the list is dazzling. I had to pinch himto make sure he was real; something he just laughed at with his usual good humor. Oh sure, I had been floored at hearing him play with his jazz combos all around the Village, and i had watched as musicians famous in their own right paid him homage as they waited on lines just for the chance to jam on one song with him. But to be sitting here among the photos and gold records, looking through a discography that any musician would die for - well, as I said before, it was a little overwhelming.

Born September 19th, 1942 in Pensacola, Florida; Harry began piano at the age of five. When his family moved to Detroit for his junior high years, Hary caught the "fever" that would jump start a career spanning over four decades - Jazz! It was everywhere. The streets of Detroit sang melodies that spoke loud and clear to Harry's heart, so much so that by the tender age of 14 he was already beginning to make a living at it. Throughout high school he performed with a contemporary jazz quintet, playing gigs in and around Detroit. He soaked up all that the much older and more-experienced musicians he met would teach him and went straight on the road upon graduation at 17 as the youngest member of the Ray McKenny Quartet.

Motown hit Detroit just as Harry was leaving and, although the pull to stay and be part of the scene was enticing; New York was where his jazz heroes were. New York was the jazz capital of the world, and New York was where Harry wanted to be. So, he did what many talented 18 year-old's do - left town headed for New York with nothing but his amazing musical gift and the addresses of some friends with whom he hoped to crash. He put in the obligatory day job time, working weekends and nights at any and every music gig he could.

Yet the "starving musician" role didn't fit in with Harry's talent and, after only four years, Harry landed a year's work traveling with the famous Lloyd Price Band supporting their hit "Personality". Returning from the road in ' 66 Harry joined the Eddie Jacobs Band; performing rock and roll and R&B in the clubs and concerts halls of the tri-state area. But the road beckoned again, this time with a call from Al Cooper of Blood, Sweat and Tears to join a tour of California in ' 69.

1970 greeted Harry with an opportunity that would capture his focus for the next four years. He joined up as piano player for vibraphonist Roy Ayers' "Ubiquity" and embarked on a world tour, adding the color of places such as Japan, Germany, the North Pole ans Switzerland's Montrose Jazz Festival to his musical palette. He began arranging for them in addition to playing on their "Ubiquity" and "Hot" albums for Atlantic, gaining recognition and acclaim for his work on the hit "Sweet Tears" as well as on their soundtrack for polydor for the Pam Greir movie"Coffy".

It was during Harry's stint with Ubiquity that he would make the acquaintance of singer/songwriter Eugene McDaniel ("1000 Pounds Of Clay"); recording an album with him for Atlantic. This chance meeting would prove an important step in Harry's career, for Eugene had written " Feel Like Making Love" for Roberta Flack. After hearing Harry's work for Eugene, Ms. Flack asked Harry to join her band. Although, at the time his attentions were focused on his work with Ubiquity, Harry did promise to call Ms. Flack when he was free. It would take a full 4 years for Harry to call, and when he did she put him on retainer immediately. "Feel Like Making Love" was a smash and Harry was on his way to world tours, gold records and, eventually, serving as Music Director and arranger for the famous singer.

Work with Roberta Flack took Harry to the California Wine Country, British Columbia, Guatemala, LA, Hawaii, the Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan to name just a few. (They just made it out of Caracas, Venezuela on the last 747 as the revolution hit.) During his 8 years with Ms. Flack, artists such as Patti Austin, Luther Vandross and Gwen Guthrie came on board (that's Harry playing on " Ain't Nothin Goin On But the Rent" by Guthrie) and he garnered two gold records for his work on Ms. Flack's "Blue Lights in the Basement" and " Feel Like Making Love" albums. When Roberta called asking if harry could do Japan with her and one of his jazz heroes, Miles Davis, Harry replied, "where's my ticket?" He won a standing ovation when commissioned to arrange Stevie Wonder's " I Can See the Sun" as a symphony for Ms. Flack and the 100 piece Edmonton Symphony Orchestra - an honor that brings a twinkle ot Harry's eye to this day.

Over The Years, Harry's independent focus has been on performing, recording, arranging and composing; garnering acclaim for work with such artists as Carter Jefferson, Phyllis Hyman, Loredana berte, Mtume, Lola Falana, The Spinners, Carmen Lundy and more. He's appeared on numerous television shows (Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, etc) and conducted the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for PBS. Even the sporting industry calls on Hary; with performances at the Kentucky Derby, the NY Knicks opening ceremonies at Madison Square Garden and Pele's last game in the Soccer Bowl of ' 78 at Giant's Stadium.

He was awarded a gold record for his work on Stephanie Mills "Stephanie" album and is famous in japanfor his work with the legendary jazz trumpet player, Terumasa Hino. He is especially proud of his recordings for Cheetah Records and the brilliant bass player, producer, and childhood friend, Teruo Nakamura.

See what I mean?....overwhelming! Yet, throughout these years Harry has also been a driving presence in New York City's jazz scene at such hot spots as Birdland, Smoke, the Village Gate, Bradley's, Sweet Basil's, and the Blue Note. (Hint - catch him at Arturo's in Greenwich village weekly - you never know who'll stop by and jam!)

Harry gave me copies of a bunch of his recordings. A selection so varied that deciding which to play first started that overwhelming feeling again. As I sat back, closed my eyes and listened to the genius that is Harry's piano, the phrase came to me - perhaps a little corny, but more than most sincere: " I'm Just Wild About Harry".

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author: harry whitaker fan
This record features Craig Wuepper on drums, a very talented young drummer who has quite a beautiful and supportive sound on his instrument. Also Pat O'leary on bass, a great player who has played with harry for many years. This album has a nice feel.