The Pace Report: The Tom Harrell Interview

Since he was a youngster, trumpeter and composer Tom Harrell has never stayed stagnant musically. His latest Highnote Records release "Roman Nights" his topped the jazz charts for last two months. Harrell's group consists of jazz music's rising superstars that feature Wanye Escoffery on tenor sax, Danny Grissett on piano and Fender Rhodes, Ugonna Okegwo on bass, and Jonathan Blake on drums. This unit has been recording together since 2007.

Tom's ability to lead has been evident throughout the years with over 25 recordings under his belt and is a staple in the jazz world. He's played with a plethora of artists ranging from Stan Kenton, Phil Woods, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, and his mentor Horace Silver. As a composer, his music has been played by Vince Guaraldi, Carlos Santana, and Phil Woods.

Since 1967 Tom his been dealing with his bout paranoid schizophrenia. With him being under the constant watch by his wife Angela (who also acts as his manager), the continues to take his medication which hasn't had an effect on his live and recorded dates.

To order his latest disc or to find out upcoming date, visit his website at tomharrell.com.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tom Harrell
• Roman Nights
• HighNote Records
• Trumpet Player
• Flugelhorn Player
• Brian Pace
• The Pace Report

[msailors]

More with less?? There are few trumpet players alive today who play more than Tom! Dudes got the sound, the range, and the melodic and harmonic sensibility of very few!

[tomharrellmusic]

please visit Tom's new youtube channel @ tomharrellmusic

[bartostrumpet]

Thank you very much for posting this. Pity Mr. Harrell's solos were cut off....

[medama82]

@TheJazzSwings I'm not sure that you can make a general statement about the use of space in Tom's playing. See this video for example. Watch the video where he plays Rhythm a Ning. I think it's from last year in Copnehagen. It's on youtube.

[beanerpower33]

This man has great courage to perform in the state he's in and through my eyes I see him as a normal human being with or without disease.

[TheJazzSwings]

@msailors He does play a lot of notes, but I think Pace is referring to the space between his ideas. It's funny too, Mr. Harrell starts talking about the way the people talk and their amount of notes, I am sure this is an important concept to take from this interview, because he equates words and notes, and when you listen to him play, he uses space liberally, but when he plays, he goes and goes. Kind of like when he talks, a lot of space, but when he gets talking, he goes. Fascinating concept.

[glenndgood]

Wow, Tom's music is great but his courage fighting against a horrible disease is even more remarkable. His life is a real testament to the human spirit. Thanks for posting this wonderful music clip and interview.

[mrmotinjo]

Had the honor to listen to mr Harrell live yesterday, it was a remarkable experience.

[disturbedwingz]

He proves that Schizophrenics can lead full lives

[StandardSam1]

I really liked that!! Tom's a jazz treasure!!

[melrhyne]

Sorry to echo you Dave, but WOW, again!

I absolutely love Tom Harrell, and the CBS interview was never enough.

Thanx for this gem!