Sunday Slow Jam Vol.61 – Eddie Harris

Sunday is often considered a day of rest, the Sabbath, a moment during the week to reflect on the all that has been done and created and an opportunity to prepare for the week ahead. I like to think that a slow jam, is a slow to mid-tempo type of tune, from any musical genre, that invokes deep thought, arouses the senses, creates intense emotional responses, inspires and helps to shift the mood when necessary.

Allow me to introduce the….Sunday Slow Jam. Consider this an invitation to check out some new music and revisit well known favourites, to take a break and encourage a little more space in your life. Check back each Sunday for my pick of the week!

This series kicks off with two great tracks (or a “2 fer” as I like to call it) by tenor saxophonist, Eddie Harris. With a discography that spans almost 40 years, Harris proved himself to be a seeker and shape shifter, an explorer and an innovator who approached his musical creativity with humour, lots of flavour and groove. Harris began as a hard bop player, but really branched out into soul, r&b, bossa nova and funk, as well as incorporating those sounds with his jazz sensibilities. He composed, created and modified his own instruments, was a band leader and a sideman and worked closely with notable players such as Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Les McCann. Check out his hauntingly soulful version of the ballad “Born to be blue”.