Music Edu. in Nola is alive and well thanks
Donald “BIG CHIEF” harrison By: Shirley A Jones
5
Berklee College of Music for three years.
great musicians call him to collaborate with
04Mag invites you to join
Though he began playing as a professional
or perform with them.
us on a journey through
while in high school, Harrison gained rec-
the life of a musical phe-
ognition for his tone and ability on both
W
hen
Blanchard
and Harrison left Blakey’s
band,
nomenon in the world of
alto and tenor saxophones, playing in the
Jazz and so much more! We’re speaking of
bands of greats such as Roy Haynes, Jack
Donald Big Chief Harrison, who was born
McDuff, and most famously, Art Blakey’s
cording as the Terence Blanchard/Donald
in New Orleans, Louisiana. Harrison, Jr. is
Jazz Messengers. Donald later partnered
Harrison Quintet. Between 1983-1988, they
as celebrated a jazz saxophonist, composer,
with Terence Blanchard also performing in
produced five albums. During that match
humanitarian and educator you might find
Blakey’s band. Donald Harrison earned his
made in Heaven, Harrison also took part in
they
began
re-
on the face of the earth today. though he
recording sessions in the
once had dual residency in New York and
jazz vanguard: in 1985,
New Orleans, he currently resides in New
he played on various re-
Orleans. He is the son of the late Donald
cordings, including The
Harrison, Sr., a legendary New Orleans
Sixth Sense (Black Saint)
folklorist who was also Big Chief of four
with Bobby Battle, Olu
different New Orleans Indian Tribes. A
Dara, and Fred Hopkins,
legacy Harrison, Jr. carries on in his ser-
and in 1986. The Quin-
vice as Big Chief Donald Harrison of the
tet split in 1989
Congo Square Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group. Harrison began his education at the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and studied with elder, Ellis
station in the music realm and is known as
Marsalis. After graduating, he attended the
a musicians’ musician; that is to say, other
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