Kevin Harris Project...Thoughts

Thoughts

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The younger generations of today are the musical revolution of tomorrow. They are extremely talented and hungry to place their footprint on history as the great innovators and musical heroes have done before us.

In November of 2008, Boston Saxophonist, Joel Press and I were invited to Bednarska College (Warsaw, Poland) to and work with some of the students. During my residence, we discussed many fundamentals that derive from listening and communicating when improvised music is played. We discussed the evolution of call and response , and we also discussed the traditional rhythms of Africa, slaves, and how soulful communication transmits to one's playing and how to internalize these necessary elements. What a wonderful experience!

During morning and afternoon sessions, we played standard jazz repertoire, discussed the use of different colors (reharmonizations), jazz history, and rhythms. At night we toured Warsaw and had the chance to play with some of Poland’s finest musicians. The students were engaged and enthusiastic and asked many challenging questions. In less than three days time, they composed beautiful pieces based on the concepts we discussed. I can not wait to hear these students in the future.

Check out some of the photo’s (by Luisa Harris).

In addition, I found the old city in Warsaw to be a very progressive community booming with Cafés and warm polish culture. I fell in love with the soup and pierogies! Bardzo Dobrje!!!!! The more I talked with the locals, the more I felt how much we, as a human race, have in common. What a great feeling. Most folks know that the city of Warsaw was destroyed during world war II and yet the resilience and perseverance of the Polish people have allowed them to rebuild the city (and themselves) as what was before the war. In even earlier times, the geographical identity of Poland was wiped off the face of the map (divided between Russia, Prussia, and Austria in the late 1700’s) but their heritage and national character through these devastating times remains intact to this day.

A personal tour was arranged for us at the National Polish Museum in Warsaw. I told a historian that as an African American I can not help but realize the parallel of their history and my own. My ancestors endured hundreds of years of relocation, cultural stripping, and countless evils that continue to chip away at our identity to this day. And yet music served and continues to server as a preserving factor for past and present culture of African descendants. Be it the freedom of the joyful yet complex drum or soulful voice that finds it’s roots in the blues music. My visit to Poland was a triumphant affirmation that even through suffering, we as a human race CAN rise above hate and evil.

Many thanks to the extremely hospitable individuals at the American Embassy who were very supportive of our performances and clinics. Thank you to the jazz faculty and administration at Bednarska college. Lastly, my utmost gratitude pours out to Piotr Rodowicz, who drove us around, translated, played bass, booked gigs, arranged our accommodations, introduced us to his family, and made us feel at home so far away from home. Thank you all.

Love,

Kevin