The Chosen by Donald Harrison

"The reason I named the recording The Chosen is to give hope to people. The Chosen means the choice to do your best is up to you no matter what circumstances come your way."
Donald Harrison, New Orleans 2008

Donald Harrison is being called one of the most important musicians of the new millennium by CBS Sunday Morning. 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, hardbop, swing, New Orleans R & B or funk. Harrison has managed to forge his variegated influences and extensive experience into a uniquely personal style.

Through talent and perseverance, Harrison has developed into one of the most significant artist to emerge in the last twenty years! This disc feature the Art Blakey alumnus with three capable, comparatively young newcomers. The result is amazing. The question with Harrison is not what he can do, but is there anything he can’t do? So far he has mastered and influenced everything he has touched.

The son of late great Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. began working with Roy Haynes at age 19 and Jack McDuff at age 20. He joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at age 21. A few years later, he co-led a band with Terence Blanchard that had an enormous impact on the development of the "neo-conservative" movement.

"Mr. Harrison turned out to be one of the most musicologically literate jazz players to come out in ages.” - New York Times

“Donald Harrison Jr. … the most interesting, most accessible, and most talented musician in the country right now.” - East Bay Express

"… one of the more innovative bandleaders New Orleans has produced in the past 20 years.”
- Chicago Tribune