On 8 December, Barry Harris, the legendary pianist, passed away at 91 at Palisades Medical Centre in North Bergen, New Jersey. Barry was struggling with a health-related issue over the last few years, according to some small support team of friends and students that supported him throughout.
Kira von Ostenfeld-Suske, who is also part of the team, stated that Barry Harris was hospitalized for the past two weeks, and due to covid-19 complications, he passed away. Throughout his career, Barry preserved the language of bebop and established his name. Barry was a gifted jazz musician, influential teacher, and brilliant performer.
Harris was about to turn 92 in the coming week and was a leading musician in the 1940s and 1950s who emerged from Detroit’s modern jazz. Barry used to take teach art to his students and the last class who taught was on November 20 over Zoom. Barry Harris had a daughter, Carol Geyer who is married to Keith Geyer. He was living, in Weehawken New Jersey, and as the news came out, social media poured tribute and condolences to Barry Harris.
Who Was Barry Harris?
Barry Harris, also known as Barry Doyle Harris, was a renowned pianist who always preserved the bebop linguistic throughout his career of seven-decade. He was interested in music from the age of four and started his training in piano. During his teens, he leaned bebop and started; performing at clubs.
During his career, he led many workshops on a weekly basis in New York and appeared in clubs. He also performed at concert halls and traveled the world so that he can teach the art of bebop. Barry spread the art form that became the adopted language of music. Through his artful insight, vibrant sound effects, and uniqueness, he channelized the spirit of bebop. Barry Harris, the keeper of the Flame and more than an exceptional star. Barry collaborated with music artists such as Miles Davis and traveled with Max Roach.
His amazing performance was recorded at Tokyo’s Yubin Chokin Concert Hall and then; added to an album. In order to document his teaching, he collaborated with Howard Rees in the 90s. in 1989, Barry featured in a documentary film Thelonios Monk: Straight, No Chaser.
Netzines Pays Tribute
Many fans got shocked as an exceptional star in the field of, Jazz music is no more. Activist Peter Daou paid tribute by tweeting Rest in peace Harris and calling him a true teacher. Christian McBride also tweeted as he remembers him that he got the opportunity to play with Mr. Barry Harris many times. He; shared a picture of him being with Barry and mentioned the event that happened; in 1991. He prayed that may; this legend rest in peace. Here are some more tributes to the legendary: