A CD with saxophonist Dave Schnitter, trumpeter Herb Robertson and drummer Jay Rosen for CIMP records.
Pianist/composer David Lopato, a long-term associate. We’ll be at the University of the Streets July 19.
Vocalist Elli Fordyce who, at 73, is still growing musically and as a performer. We’ll be playing selected dates with her partner, Jim Malloy, at The Garage in New York for the rest of the year.
A trio with trombonist Deborah Weisz and drummer Eric Halverson. We'll be at University of the Streets July 26.
Pianist Sarah Jane Cion’s trio. We’ll be at the Knickerbocker in New York August 5.
A blog about improvised music at NewMusicBox.org.
A book about Jim Pepper. The biographical information about him in the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz and the Encyclopedia of Native American Music (and even liner notes to his albums) is severely flawed. I’m writing something more accurate about his life and, particularly, about his music.
I still playing bass for Mose Allison when he’s in New York – I think.
(b) Originality, respect for music, and passion about playing generates my interest. Many musicians are just about work. While I don’t have problems with making money from playing, I do with lackadaisical attitudes. Betty Carter once told me, “who said this is gonna be EASY?” I’m committed to playing at the best of my abilities—all the time, not just for the big gigs. Part of that commitment is allowing those I’m playing with to do the same. It doesn’t matter if I’m accompanying or leading.
I’ve also gotten to a point where I pretty much bring my own voice to the situation. But, I’m still growing as a musician, still finding new things to do. When someone calls me for that, I’m interested.
7. Tell us something that's not in the official bio.
I’m recovering from early-onset Diogenes Syndrome.
For more info on this artist, go to ratzobharris.com.
Article comments
1 - Floyce Alexander
Damn, This is the kind of no-nonsense interview that echoes your straight-ahead poetry. Ratso Harris is fine and dandy, indeed, though I've heard, on YouTube, only "Inner Urge" with the Joe Henderson Quartet in Italy 1983. I love that early onset Diogenes syndrome: we should all be so lucky to be blessed with such early "affliction."