Donald Harrison, Award-Winning Jazz Trailblazer to Perform at Fogartyville in Sarasota

Emerging from the talent-laden New Orleans jazz scene in the 1980’s along with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., and Terrence Blanchard, Donald Harrison has established himself as the preeminent alto saxophonist of the post-bop generation. Known for his improvisational style, Harrison is credited as the creator of Nouveau Swing– a combination of jazz, R&B, soul, rock, and hip-hop. The Donald Harrison Jazz Quartet performs on Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m. at Fogartyville. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets for the June 9 show are $30 for members, $33 for not-yet-members, and $17 for students.

Donald Harrison, the Big Chief of the Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group and a prominent tenor saxophonist, has been making his mark in the American jazz scene since the 1980s. His experiences within the New Orleans jazz scene heavily informed his cultural understanding of the genre. Harrison has released or been involved in over 40 full length projects, individually and in collaboration with the likes of Roy Haynes, Jack McDuff, Miles Davis, Eddie Palmieri, Ron Carter, and many more. His influence in jazz and hip-hop genres is visible in the work of his group the New Sounds of Mardis Gras, his collaborative work with artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., and the jazz group Cookers. He received the A.B. Spellman National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy in 2022 for his efforts in preserving New Orleans music and culture, and was chosen as Person of the Year by Jazziz magazine in 2007. Described as “a genius” by Eddie Palmieri, Harrison’s mastery of the many sides of jazz, as well as his cultural and activist efforts, continue to emphasize his well-earned influence in the world of jazz. 

For more information and tickets, visit WSLR – Fogartyville or call 941-894-6469.

Photo from Fogartyville