“The Void” really allows all six musicians to stretch out and play in mouthwatering fashion, and “Mixed Signals” features some compelling piano soloing within its open, melodic perimeters, with Harris’ classy guitar playing shining a light on the tune’s alluring lyricism. The touching tribute was composed in one sitting after visiting Johnson in hospital, days before his death. “A Beautiful Life” was written as a eulogy for Adam Johnson, a neuroscientist with who the guitarist was friends. A distinct change of pace and flavour greets the listener on “Civil Dawn”, a nautical term that describes the moment light breaks over the horizon. “Glass Houses” is a waltz on which the Bates brothers demonstrate how beautifully they complement each other and the music they’re playing, allowing the soloists to play with a silky-smooth freedom. The softly spoken Latin groove of “Sundials” features lovely interplay between sax, trumpet and guitar, with the class rhythm section bang on the money. A quintessential jazz sound that’s fresh and stylish sparkles from my speakers, the septet playing as a collective, with Harris’ solo lifting this tune even further. The opener “Ominous Skies” sets the tone for the album perfectly. In the years that followed, as many parents will attest to, projects moved somewhat slower due to the patter of tiny feet and the demands that they bring, so it took a while to amass a book of songs he considered worthy of the group’s follow-up. Harris and his wife were about to have their first child around the time of his 2012 release “The Garden”. The album’s title refers to Harris’ two children, who are pictured on the cover, and much of the album is inspired by the joys – and struggles – of parenting young children. As a generalisation, I’d say Harris’ compositions perhaps lean toward a Blue-Note era Wayne Shorter, with his expressive sextet displaying similar qualities to the style of writing heard on those classic 60’s albums. History being what it is, no rational modern player could aim to compete with that group’s accomplishments, but few are harmed by its influence. Also featuring John Raymond on trumpet and flugelhorn, Brandon Wozniak on tenor sax, Bryan Nichols on piano, Chris Bates on bass and JT Bates on drums, this sextet is a proper jazz group… all in tune with one another and playing openly and freely throughout the entire album.īandleader Harris takes constant inspiration from the mid-sixties Miles Davis Quintet featuring Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. “Small Wonders” is his group’s second album, Harris’ third as leader. It’s natural, earthy, with a touch of the old blues drive to give it that nice bit of edge. Renowned jazz critic Bill Milkowski wrote for JazzTimes Magazine, “Twin Cities modern jazz renegades shift nimbly from a punk-jazz aesthetic to ECM-ish sensitivity…startlingly original stuff.The most immediate thing that hit me when I started to listen to guitarist Zacc Harris’ latest release, is that guitar sound.

As co-leader of Atlantis Quartet, Harris has released five critically acclaimed albums since 2006, as well as a digital anthology of the band’s first decade together. He performs in a host of creative projects including Atlantis Quartet, winner of the 2015 McKnight Fellowship and named 2011 Best Jazz Artist, as well as the Zacc Harris Group, American Reverie, and Zacc Harris Trio. Since moving to Minneapolis in 2005, Zacc Harris has gained a reputation as one of the area’s top guitarists, being named 2017 Twin Cities Best Jazz Artist by the City Pages. The Zacc Harris Quintet is Zacc Harris (guitar), Brandon Wozniak (saxophone), Bryan Nichols (keyboard), Chris Bates (bass), JT Bates (drums). See you there! Note: If it’s raining, this event will be held at the Black Dog Cafe.Ĭelebrate the release of a new Zacc Harris album by spending your lunch hour with us! Grab something tasty from a nearby food truck and find a spot under the leafy canopy of Mears Park. Mears Park, 221 5th St E, St Paul, MN 55101

Zacc harris