★★★★★
Donald Harrison's The Chosen is dedicated to the people who do their "best, no matter what circumstances come" their way. If you know anything about Harrison, you know that he's from New Orleans and suffered significantly after Hurricane Katrina so he knows what he is talking about. This collection of originals and standards displays Harrison as a saxophonist who prefers the honest, direct route to musical expression...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2012-10-25
★★★★★
Donald Harrison enjoys jumping from straight-ahead jazz to Latin jazz to rap to Mardi Gras Indians—you name it. The primary home for the saxophonist's output for the brand of jazz he has dubbed "nouveau swing" has been the German-based Nagel Heyer label, and the approach is most noted for its irresistible groove matched by Harrison's educated and far-reaching jazz sensibilities. It's kind of a two-for-one concept, especially appealing to dance-loving jazz fans...
- www.offbeat.com
2010-11-09
★★★★★
On his second solo album, Harrison explores his New Orleans roots and has some fun in the process. With help from Dr. John and the Guardians of the Flame (led by Donald Harrison, Sr.), plus the excellent jazz musicianship of Cyrus Chestnut on piano and Carl Allen on drums, Indian Blues combines the neo-swing style Harrison is known for with Mardi Gras Indian music and funky New Orleans R&B...
- www.offbeat.com
2010-11-02
★★★★★
Donald Harrison is one of the most confident and convincing improvisers in jazz today. The boundary leaping New Orleans alto saxophonist's distinctive broad toned sound is immediately recognizable as his own, regardless of the environment in which it is being heard, be it bebop, hard bop, New Orleans R & B or funk. Harrison has managed to forge his variegated influences and extensive experience into a uniquely personal style...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2010-08-20
★★★★★
Here's a member of the thirty-something crew whose maturity is palpable and can be traced to what would appear to be an admirable self-sense of his artistry and growth arc. After the breakup of his first band, co-led with Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison's visibility lessened a bit. He surfaced with a superb New Orleans-heritage session for Candid that yielded his own standard "Indian Blues," neatly reprised here...
- www.jazztimes.com
2010-02-19
★★★★★
It could be said that alto saxophonist Donald Harrison ably navigates the gray boundary of postbop, soul-jazz and funk. It could also be said that Harrison has spent too much time trying to convince us that his "nouveau swing" concept is an artistically valuable progression of jazz and too little time developing his own voice. Harrison, a solid musician who lacks a distinctive style, has served admirably as a sideman over the years and has delivered some solid recordings of his own...
- www.jazztimes.com
2010-02-19
★★★★★
At this point in his career—25 years after his breakthrough New York Second Line album with partner Terence Blanchard and following invaluable apprenticeships with Art Blakey and Eddie Palmieri—alto saxophonist Harrison has become a seasoned veteran and respected bandleader-talent scout (his young nephew and discovery, trumpeter Christian Scott, has already struck out on a promising career of his own)...
- www.jazztimes.com
2010-02-19
★★★★★
Track Listing: The Survivor; Twerk it; Summertime; Cool Breeze; The Hook Up; Oriental Folk Song; Nouveau Swing; Sincerely Yours; Caravan (Who is the Funky Drummer). Personnel: Donald Harrison: alto sax; Christian Scott: trumpet; Mulgrew Miller: piano; Zaccai Curtis: piano (6); Luques Curtis: bass; John Lamkin: drums...
- www.allaboutjazz.com
2009-06-05
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