You Can't Lose with the Blues Lafayette Harris Jr.

• 1 He's My Guy 03:26
• 2 I Love You, Yes I Do 04:11
• 3 Blues for Barry Harris 05:03
• 4 Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying 04:20
• 5 Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 04:55
• 6 Things Ain't What They Used to Be 03:29
• 7 Love Me in a Special Way 05:33
• 8 Bloomdido 03:34
• 9 You Can't Lose with the Blues 06:43
• 10 Wonder Why 05:16
• 11 Please Send Me Someone to Love 05:32
• 12 The Juicy Blues 05:05
• Total Runtime 57:07

Info for You Can't Lose with the Blues

Baltimorean pianist Lafayette Harris Jr. is known for an energetic sense of rhythmic vitality, a tasty, full bodied musical approach to the keyboard, and a sensibility drenched in the blues. A staple at the Lenox Lounge in Harlem for a number of years as well as a member of various aggregations led by Max Roach, Harris’ new recording reflects this experience as well as a myriad of influences, from boogie-woogie legend Sammy Price to Kenny Barron and Barry Harris, all of whom encouraged Lafayette as an up-and-coming player. Bassist Peter Washington brings a forceful sense of rhythm and lyrically rounded solos to the date, and drummer Lewis Nash keeps the rhythms swinging strongly and as steady as a Swiss watch. A thoughtful setlist and sterling sound from the Van Gelder Studio makes this a self-recommending album.

Lafayette Harris Jr., piano

Lafayette Harris Jr.
is known as a “go to” pianist by many musicians, including legendary saxophonist Houston Person, for whom he has recorded on three albums. Lafayette has toured with some of the greatest musicians of all time including the luminary Max Roach; jazz, funk pioneer, trumpeter Donald Byrd; trombone plunger master Al Grey; John Gordon’s Trombones Unlimited that featured: Slide Hampton, Al Grey and Curtis Fuller, amongst others; and the Duke Ellington Legacy Orchestra. He has recorded and toured with four-time Grammy nominee – the late, great, Ernestine Anderson. Lafayette is currently a regular member of Archie Shepp’s band. He also records and performs with his own bands that include Lonnie Plaxico, Jazzmeia Horn, Willie Jones III, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash. Lafayette has been the musical director for dance tap organization, Tapology, since 2013 where he orchestrates and conducts the diverse musical ensemble. Lafayette has released many of his own albums. One more recent release, “You Can’t Lose With The Blues,” was #1 for two weeks on the Jazzweek Jazz Chart in February 2020, and remained on the top ten for 14 weeks.

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Lafayette has a Bachelor of Music in Piano from Oberlin Conservatory and a Master of Music from Rutgers University. As an educator, Lafayette believes that everyone can make progress as a musician – it all depends on how much they want to do it.

Booklet for You Can't Lose with the Blues