Beaver Harris

William Godvin "Beaver" Harris (April 20, 1936 – December 22, 1991)[1] was an American jazz drummer who worked extensively with Archie Shepp.[2]

Beaver Harris
Birth nameWilliam Godvin Harris
BornApril 20, 1936
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 1991 (aged 55)
New York City, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz
InstrumentsDrums

Early life

Harris was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Coming from an athletic family, he played baseball as a teenager for the Kansas City Monarchs (then part of the Negro American League) and was scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants.[3]

Career

After serving in the United States Army, Harris began playing drums. In 1963, he moved to New York City and was encouraged to pursue a musical career by Max Roach. While in New York, he worked and/or toured with Marion Brown, Dexter Gordon, Albert Ayler, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Jordan, Howard Johnson, Sheila Jordan, Lee Konitz, Thelonious Monk, Roswell Rudd, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner,[3] Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Chet Baker, Doc Cheatham and Larry Coryell among other musicians.[1]

In addition, Harris founded a "world music" band and called it the 360 Degree Music Experience. The band included some of the most significant artists of the time, including Buster Williams, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Pullen, Jimmy Garrison, Ron Carter, Ricky Ford, and many others.

Personal life

Harris and his wife, Glo Harris, had three children. Harris died of prostate cancer in New York at the age of 55.[4]

Discography

As leader
  • From Rag Time to No Time (360, 1975)
  • In: Sanity (Black Saint, 1976)
  • African Drums (Owl, 1978)
  • Beautiful Africa (Soul Note, 1979)
  • Safe (Red, 1980)
  • Negcaumongus (Cadence, 1981)
  • Live at Nyon (Cadence, 1981)
  • A Well Kept Secret (Shemp, 1984)
  • Beaver Is My Name (Timeless, 1987)
  • Thank You for Your Ears (Dizim, 1998)

As sideman

With Albert Ayler

With Marion Brown

With Roswell Rudd

With Archie Shepp

With others

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1088. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. "Beaver Harris Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  3. Pareles, Jon. "Beaver Harris, 55, A Leading Drummer in Jazz Ensembles". The New York Times, January 7, 1992.
  4. "Beaver Harris / April 20, 1936 - Dec 22, 1991". Peaceandrhythm.com. 20 April 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
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