Promotional Writing
Artist Bio: Anton Harris
By Janelle Allen
No one remembers musicians who play it safe. Great and memorable musicians redefine music with their uncanny ability to stretch and combine many genres and mediums. Holiday, Ellington and Hendrix did this. And so did Miles--more than once. Now Anton Harris enters into the dialogue of great jazz musicians who possess the dexterity to translate multiple genres into one cohesive, yet dynamic story. Whether hip-hop or electronica, rock or gospel, Harris seamlessly sews traditional and experimental patches of sound together to create a musical quilt that warms the soul.
Born in San Francisco, California, Harris grew up in a musically talented family. At a young age Harris was influenced by various styles of music, from classical to gospel to jazz. At age five he began his formal musical education at the Yamaha Music School in Savannah, GA. He credits Dr Larry Taylor, a longtime family friend, as the person who got him hooked on jazz. During the fifth grade, Harris joined his middle school’s band and began to develop his interest in the saxophone. While in high school, Harris was chosen for the Georgia All-State Concert Band, the All-State Jazz Ensemble, toured seven European countries with the U.S. Collegiate Wind Band and was lead tenor saxophone in Georgia Southern University’s Jazz Ensemble. In 1996 Harris moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University where he received his Bachelors of Music (2001) and Masters of Music degrees in Jazz Studies (2005).
Harris has performed in a wide range of venues, including the Atlanta Jazz Festival (2001), with Russell Gunn and Julie Dexter (2004), The National Black Arts Festival, SoulFest, JapanFest with Takana Miyamoto, Jazzplex, Katch a Vibe, Sambuca Jazz Café, and Apache Café.
The Anton Harris Quartet was formed in 2003 with band members Che Marshall (drums), David Springer (guitar) and Brent Shields (bass). The group began recording its debut album Modern Mythology in August 2005, with production and project coordinator Khari Simmons and contributing artists, Kinah Boto, Dashill Smith and Chris Saindon. The Modern Mythology album release party boasted two sold-out shows and guest appearances by Grammy-nominated artists David Sanchez and Russell Gunn. The group performs regularly at The Five Spot, Vinocity and the famed Churchill Grounds in Atlanta, Georgia.
To listen to Anton Harris play is to embrace a whirlwind of masterful sounds, surrounded by the styles of great musicians of the past yet hearing the distinct sound of the future. Harris’s influences are as varied as his music, from Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman and Kenny Garrett to John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, among others. Yet, Harris importantly notes, “Many of my influences aren’t famous yet, like Lee and Brian Hogans and Dashill Smith. There are a lot of local cats who I constantly learn from.”
Currently, Anton Harris resides in Atlanta and enjoys teaching budding music students at The Lovett School.
Click here for a PDF version (208 KB; Will open in a new window)
We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -Mohandas K. Gandhi