Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?

Subject: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:53 PM

Billed as the world's first and only jazz bagpiper, Rufus Harley was on a tv program this week that I happened to catch, in part. Didn't get to here him play, though.

I thought it was kind of interesting and would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard him perform. I was able to find this on the 'net, with a good picture of him: CLICK HERE.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 24 May 01 - 12:07 AM

Kat, I had never heard of him, but they HAVE to get this guy to Glasgow for the Celtic Connections festival. Lordy, I can just picture him and Tony McManus playing together .......

Murray

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 01 - 12:21 AM

Murray, if you follow the link in one of the lower paragraphs on THIS PAGE there is a midi about halfway down on the page it leads to, of his Amazing Grace. It's jazzed up a bit, but still the same tune.

I just watched a docu on the KKK. I was appalled to hear them use a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace while they burned a cross and declared "White Power." I think it would be ironic as hell and be some sort of poetic justice is someone slipped them a tape of this American of African and Cherokee descent playing "their song."

kat

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 24 May 01 - 02:02 AM

Kat, I listened to Amazing Grace, and also to 8 Miles High. I have to say, I was rooting for him, but, on the basis of these sound samples. he wouldn't be entitled to share the stage with somebody like Dougie Pincock or Hamish Moore. But, the guy obviously has chutzpah, I wish him all the best, Thanks for giving me the chance to hear him !

Murray

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 May 01 - 01:32 PM

I have heard Rufus Harley, who lives and plays around Philadephia, and he is both a great jazz musician and an excellent entertainer!! He lives in Philadephia (the home of many jazz greats) and plays around there quite a bit--he is primarily a sax player, and, at least when I was there, worked with his son--in spite of what one would think, he is not a novelty act--he plays very serious jazz that is rooted in the Coltrane style--suprising again, he is very warm and relates well to young audiences--I was involved in presenting a kids summer concert in conjunction with one of the Philly public radio stations a number of years ago, and we had one of the performers cancel the nite before--Rufus' name came up, and we made a late nite call--The top billed act had built reputation as a kids performer, but didn't really connect, Rufus and his son took time to explain their music to the kids, had some really nice participation stuff and completely stole the show--

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: InOBU
Date: 24 May 01 - 02:13 PM

Sad part about the Amazing Grace story above, is that it was written by an ex-slaver, who wrote it renouncing his past sins (slaving) Ah well... Larry

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: black walnut
Date: 25 May 01 - 02:25 PM

Kat....my kid was watching "What's My Line?", too, and called me over to watch that part of the show. Did you pick the right one? I didn't. I picked number 3, for the hat.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Rufus Harley-Jazz Piper -ever seen him?
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 02:06 PM

alas, only the photograph beside his obituary last week
published in NY Times 13 Aug 2006

"Rufus Harley, who was billed as ''the world's first jazz bagpiper'' and emitted his haunting sounds alongside some of the greats of jazz, died on Aug. 1 in Philadelphia, his hometown."
www.nytimes.com