Barry HarrisThe method

People Barry talks about

George Mraz

bass

Czech-born bassist who recorded with Barry and Leroy Williams in the late 1990s, including the trio album First Time Ever; Barry said in 1999 that their record was the first time the two had played together.

mentions
2
recordings
1
Barry speaking
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What Barry says

Asked about the musicians on his record, Barry calls Mraz a very special bass player and person, and says he felt privileged to play with him because Mraz picks things up faster than almost anyone; he means quick understanding, not quick tempos.

Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶7Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶8

Barry says he had never played with Mraz before, since Mraz worked mostly with Tommy Flanagan, so the record was their first meeting, and he really enjoyed it.

Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶9Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶10Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶12

In his own words

George Mraz is a very-very special bass player. I felt sort of privileged to play with him on this record, because he’s one of the fastest cats!

Barry Harris on WKCR-FM. WKCR interview with Ted Panken, 1999 ¶8

I don’t mean tempo-fast. I’m talking about fast catching-on. He’s a very special person.

Barry Harris on WKCR-FM. WKCR interview with Ted Panken, 1999 ¶8

He played mostly with Tommy Flanagan. I never really played with him. So this is a first meeting, and I really enjoyed it.

Barry Harris on WKCR-FM. WKCR interview with Ted Panken, 1999 ¶12

Every mention

2 moments in the recordings, 0 of them Barry speaking. Each says who is talking.

My Chat With Chris Parks From Things I Learned From Barry Harris

  1. 55:36

    A student

    Chris Parks recalls Mraz barely glancing at the sheet music for Barry’s own tunes; his ears were that good.

    Watch on YouTube at 55:36

  2. 52:51

    A student

    Parks drove Barry to Van Gelder’s studio for The First Time Ever, with Mraz on bass and Leroy Williams.

    Watch on YouTube at 52:51

In the interviews and notes

  • Barry, WKCR interview with Ted Panken, 1999 Barry, in his own words

    Barry calls Mraz a very special bassist and person, and says he felt privileged to record with him because Mraz catches on so fast.

    Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶8

  • Barry, WKCR interview with Ted Panken, 1999 Barry, in his own words

    Barry says the record was his first time playing with Mraz, who had worked mostly with Tommy Flanagan, and that he enjoyed it.

    Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶10Barry Harris on WKCR-FM ¶12

  • Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes, 1998 A scholar

    Milkowski describes Barry’s then recent Evidence release First Time Ever as a fine trio record with Mraz on bass and Leroy Williams on drums, its cover showing the Manhattan view from Barry’s Weehawken window.

    Bill Milkowski, Barry Harris: Young-hearted Elder ¶3

Recordings that name them

Barry’s performances and records in the archive that credit or name them.