JAZZ SAXOPHONIST WENDELL HARRISON CELEBRATED AT THE CARR CENTER

Saxophonist Wendell Harrison

Those familiar with jazz saxophonist Wendell Harrison's history know he wears many hats: the co-founder of the iconic band Tribe, composer of classics like “Dreams of a Love Supreme,” music educator at Metro Arts, mentor to generations of jazz musicians, and business executive behind independent jazz label, WenHa. His discography is populated with jewels like “Get Up Off Your Knees,”"Rush and Hustle,"  “Fly by Night,” and “Wait Broke the Wagon Down.” His Moma's Licking Sticks Clarinet Ensemble became one of the more acclaimed jazz ensembles regionally. In 2018, he received the highest honor given to a Michigan artist, the Kresge Eminent Artist award. Saturday night, key areas of his accomplishments and genius were highlighted during a two-hour tribute to him at the Carr Center. The center was packed with admirers, family, and young and accomplished musicians whom Harrison has influenced. The celebration offered musical performances, poetry, and testimonials. Saxophonist Stephen Grady Jr. and pianist Jacob Hart opened the evening with “Stablemates,” “Take the Coltrane,” and “Peace,” recreating much of the magic that Harrison and the late pianist Harold McKinney summoned up on their duet album “Something for Pops.” Grady, Jr. has a clean and uplifting tone, as well as a command of the tenor saxophone akin to Joe Henderson. Hart—who’s still a high schooler—has already made a name for himself, headlining top jazz clubs around Detroit. For a teen jazz pianist, he has an OG’s ability to efficiently groove and move through chord progressions. And he demonstrated that he’s a thoughtful accompanist. Grady, Jr, and Hart’s terrific opening set was augmented by poetry from wordsmiths Professor Gloria House and the pastor of the Shrine of the Black Madonna Church, and a short but soul-soothing number from pianist Pam Wise, trumpeter Ingrid Racine, and saxophonist Salim Washington. Harrison schooled him, and although he's now a world-renowned bandleader and music educator, he still considers Harrison to be his north star. After the great performances and anecdotes by bassist Ralphe Armstrong and Carr Center President Oliver Ragsdale, Harrison took the stage, obviously touched and appreciative of all the love lavished on him. Harrison discussed the origins of his organization, Rebirth, and its cultural impact in Detroit. He also shared stories about meeting his wife, the accomplished and woefully underpraised jazz pianist Pam Wise. Together, they performed a duet on her original piece, “Fly by Night.”  It was a pleasure listening to them swing lovingly and showing their fondness for each other and the music. The celebration ended with Harrison and Hart performing a blues. Here’s where I gained a deeper sense of Hart’s true potential, particularly in his ability to expose the marrow of the blues, as if he had vast life experience. The tribute’s only shortcoming was that none of Harrison’s signature compositions were performed. Still, it was a fitting celebration for a musician, educator, mentor, and business executive who’s been a cultural force in Detroit for decades.