Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Chris Latter Collection on Gene and Janie Harris, 1955-2003
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Chris Latter
- Title
- Chris Latter Collection on Gene and Janie Harris
- Dates
- 1955-2003 (inclusive)19552003
- Quantity
- 0.75 linear feet, (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- MSS 310
- Summary
- Assortment of materials, mostly photographs, collected in preparation for Elegant Soul: the life and music of Gene Harris, a biographical book about the world renowned jazz pianist who lived in Boise for the last twenty-three years of his life.
- Repository
-
Boise State University Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
1910 University Drive
Boise ID
83725
Telephone: 2084263990
archives@boisestate.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Jazz, blues, and soul pianist Gene Harris was born September 1, 1933 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. During the late 1950s and 1960s Gene Harris rose to prominence in the jazz world as the pianist in the groundbreaking Three Sounds trio, widely regarded as one of the progenitors of the soul jazz genre. In 1977 Harris moved to Idaho to live in "semi-retirement," where he played regularly at the Idanha Hotel in Boise and also mentored local Boise musicians, including Curtis Stigers. The rising momentum from Harris' popular gigs at the Idanha led the pianist to once again become a touring musician, leading to a critically acclaimed appearance on Milt Jackson's 1983 Soul Routes album. Gene joined the Ray Brown trio in 1984 and by 1989 he began serving as band leader for the Philip Morris company's "Superband," which toured the world with headlining acts that included Ray Charles and B.B. King. After working with the superbands through 1991, Harris headed up the highly praised Gene Harris Quartet. Harris was nominated for a Grammy in 1987 for A Tribute to Count Basie and received France's Grand Prix du Disque de Jazz for The Gene Harris Trio Plus One in 1985. Jazz writer Leonard Feather wrote, "is there any pianist who can outdo Gene Harris in hitting and sustaining a blues groove? No one comes to mind." Gene Harris died January 16, 2000.
The first Gene Harris Jazz Festival was held in Boise, Idaho in April of 1998. In addition to attracting national and international jazz acts, the festival also provides scholarships to music students, workshops, and adjudicated competitions.
Gene Harris married Jane Marie "Janie" Hewitt on April 21, 1985. She worked as manager of the Gene Harris Quartet and superband and was also instrumental in the organization of the Gene Harris Jazz Festival. She co-wrote a biography of her late husband with Bob Evancho, titled Elegant Soul: The Life And Music Of Gene Harris. Born in 1946, Janie Harris died May 7, 2011.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Collection consists of materials, mostly photographs, which were compiled in preparation for the publication of a biography about jazz pianist Gene Harris' life titled, Elegant Soul: the life and music of Gene Harris by Janie Harris with Bob Evancho.
The photographs in this collection contain a wide assortment of world-renown jazz musicians and other notables (for example, Idaho governor and jazz enthusiast Philip Batt, the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Pulitzer prize-winning critic Joel Morgenstern, and the mayor of Dresden, Germany) who met Gene and Janie Harris during Gene Harris' return to international prominence as a leading jazz pianist in the 1980s and 1990s. A small yet vital part of this collection also documents the Boise, Idaho jazz scene and Gene Harris' role in mentoring and supporting local jazz music. Gene Harris' daughter, Nikki Harris, is a well-known singer and she is included in pictures of the Harris family.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[item description], Chris Latter Collection on Gene and Janie Harris, Box [number] Folder [number], Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: PhotographsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | 100 Gold Fingers Tour
Gene Harris was selected to be one of ten pianists from the United States to be featured in the 100 Gold Fingers Tour which tours Japan and Korea. Includes Joanne Brackeen and organizer Mariko Omura.
|
1995 or 1997 |
| 1 | 2 | 1983 recording session photographic CD-R with color contact sheet |
1983 |
| 1 | 3 | 2003 photographic CD-R with color contact sheet |
2003 |
| 1 | 4 |
Alley Cats recording session
Photo taken at the Jazz Alley in Seattle, Washington during the recording of Gene Harris'
Alley Cats record. Includes Gene's daughter Niki Harris, Frank Potenza on guitar, and saxophonists Red Holloway and Ernie Watts.
|
1998 December |
| 1 | 5 | Governor Phil Batt, 1995 inauguration and 1998 birthday party
Photograph from Governor Batt's 1995 inauguration at the Idaho State Capitol Building with Idaho First Lady Jacquie Batt, vocalist Mike Zborowski, and trumpeter Billy Mitchell. Governor Batt is holding a framed original musical score. Also contains a second picture of Governor Batt playing clarinet at Gene Harris' 1998 birthday party with Billy Mitchell.
|
1995, 1998 |
| 1 | 6 | Bern Jazz Festival, Switzerland
Two photographs of Janie Harris with saxophonist and flautist James Moody vibraphone player Elmer Gill, drummer Monty Alexander, and drummer Grady Tate.
|
1985 |
| 1 | 7 | Boise Block Party concert, Gene Harris signing a CD |
1996 |
| 1 | 8 | Larry Boyd, Boise bassist (center) |
undated |
| 1 | 9 | Ray Brown, bassist
Photographs of Ray Brown with Gene Harris rehearsing at the piano, with Turkish belly dancer, and with Ardis Hewitt (Janie Harris' mother). Several pictures of Ray Brown playing the bass with a bow.
|
1989, undated |
| 1 | 10 | Benny Carter, multi-instrumentalist, probably taken at the Bern Jazz Festival, Polaroid |
possibly 1985 |
| 1 | 11 | Ray Charles and Gene Harris playing chess on an airplane |
1990 |
| 1 | 12 | Andy Cleyndert, bassist |
about 1994 |
| 1 | 13 | Bill Dowdy, drummer |
undated |
| 1 | 14 | Henry "Sweets" Edison
Includes a 1990 photograph from a Superband tour, Sweets Edison (photographed individually) at a 1999 gig with Gene Harris, and a photo of Sweets Edison, Ray Brown, and Gene Harris at a restaurant in Denver.
|
1990, 1999 January, undated |
| 1 | 15 | Ron Eschete, guitarist
One of the photos also includes bassist Luther Hughes.
|
1992 |
| 1 | 16 | Leonard Feather, jazz author and critic |
undated |
| 1 | 17 | Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, Walt Hazzard (UCLA Basketball coach, later known as Mahdi Abdul-Rahman), Gene Harris, and Janie Harris at the 1988 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho |
1988 |
| 1 | 18 | Al Grey, trombonist, probably taken at Bern Jazz Festival, with Gene and Janie Harris, Polaroid |
possibly 1985 |
| 1 | 19 | Jeff Hamilton, drummer, at a dinner with Ray Brown and Janie Harris, also an undated black-and-white photo |
1992, undated |
| 1 | 20 | Lionel Hampton with Gene Harris, Grady Tate, and Ray Brown at the Bern Jazz Festival in 1985, also Lionel Hampton and Gene Harris at Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell, Idaho |
1985, undated |
| 1 | 21 | Gene Harris candid photographs
Among other pictures, includes Gene Harris trying on a fur hat (ushanka) in Russia and relaxing on a boat.
|
1991, undated |
| 1 | 22 | Gene Harris memorial service
Includes photographs of Billy Mitchell, Julie Ortega, John Strife, and bassist Luther Hughes.
|
2000 |
| 1 | 23 | Gene Harris Big Band, black and white photograph taken in Russia |
1992 August |
| 1 | 24 | Gene Harris at the San Jose Jazz Festival |
1996 |
| 1 | 25 | Gene Harris with children, grandchildren, and other family members |
about 1999-2000, undated |
| 1 | 26 | Gene Harris with Janie Harris
Labeled pictures include Zurich about 1986, Benton Harbor High School in Michigan 1993, and in Australia with a Superband tour in 1990.
|
about 1996, 1990, 1993, undated |
| 1 | 27 | Niki Harris, includes Jazz at Hilton and Concord Fujitsu jazz festivals |
1993, undated |
| 1 | 28 | John Heard, bassist (on left) at Otter Crest resort in Oregon |
1981 |
| 2 | 29 | Gib Hochstrasser, Boise drummer, at Ste. Chapelle winery outdoor concert, with Bill Cope, Boise trumpeter |
1980s |
| 1 | 30 | Major Holley, bassist, with Gene Harris |
undated |
| 1 | 31 | Red Holloway, saxophonist |
2000 |
| 1 | 32 | Honokaa Music Festival, Hawaii, with Dave and Sherry Pettus |
1994 December |
| 1 | 33 | Luther Hughes, bassist
Includes a picture of Luther Hughes and Gene Harris in wild outfits on a cruise ship.
|
undated |
| 1 | 34 | Idanha Hotel in Boise, Gene Harris' gigs at Peter Schott's Lounge |
1978-1988 |
| 1 | 35 | Carl Jefferson, founder of Concord Records, with Gene Harris |
undated |
| 1 | 36 | Harold Jones, drummer, during Superband tour |
about 1990 |
| 1 | 37 | Ramsey Lewis, pianist |
undated |
| 1 | 38 | Chuck Mangione with Janie Harris at the Gene Harris Jazz Festival |
2000 |
| 1 | 39 | Marlboro Superband color slides |
1989 |
| 1 | 40 | Jack McDuff, organist, at the recording session of Gene Harris'
In His Hands record, photographed with Gene and Janie Harris, Luther Hughes, Frank Potenza, and Ray Webb (Gene Harris' minister and friend) |
1997 |
| 1 | 41 | Jay "Hootie" McShann at the Bern Jazz Festival |
1983 or 1984 |
| 1 | 42 | The Milt Jackson Quartet, recording of
Soul Route, also one picture from a performance
Vibraphonist Milt Jackson, Gene Harris, drummer Mickey Roker, and Janie Harris are photographed.
|
2002 |
| 1 | 43 | Billy Mitchell, Boise trumpeter
Boise bassist Larry Boyd also appears in a photograph.
|
undated |
| 1 | 44 | Film critic Joe Morgenstern with Janie Harris |
undated |
| 1 | 45 | Australian musician James Morrison with drummer Jeff Hamilton, Ray Brown, and Gene Harris |
about 1990 |
| 1 | 46 | Guitarist Jim Mullen and drummer Martin Drew |
probably 1994 |
| 1 | 47 | Parliament Superband '91, Tokyo, Melpalukuholl Hall
Photos of live performance and a press conference. Includes B.B. King, Harold Jones, guitarist Kenny Burrell, Ray Brown, and Gene Harris.
|
1991 November 7 |
| 1 | 48 | Bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pederson, with Gene Harris probably at the Bern Jazz Festival, Polaroid |
probably 1985 |
| 1 | 49 | Philip Morris Superband, color positive negative, black and white prints, and Polaroid
Photographed individuals include Gene Harris, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Aleardo Buzzi (Philip Morris executive), and Andrew Whist (Philip Morris executive).
|
1990 |
| 1 | 50 | Philip Morris Superband in Egypt, including at the Great Pyramid of Giza |
1990 |
| 1 | 51 | Philip Morris Superband in Rabat, Morocco with Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister
Photographed individuals include Mohamed Benaissa (Morrocan Foreign Affairs Minister), Gene and Janie Harris, Sweets Edison, Ray Brown, and Steve Holgate of the United States Foreign Service.
|
1989 |
| 1 | 52 | Saxophonist Benny Poole with Leonard Hall and Gene Harris in the 1950s, also undated solo photograph |
circa 1955, undated |
| 2 | 1 | Ray Brown Trio, recording of
Soular Energy
Photographs include drummer Monty Alexander, Ray Brown rehearsing at piano with a bow on top of piano, Gene Harris, Gerryk King, and guitarist Emily Remler
|
1984 August |
| 2 | 2 | Ray Brown Trio, Tokyo, Yamaha Hall and advertisement for 1991 Playboy Jazz Festival in Japan |
1991, 1992 April 19 |
| 2 | 3 | Ancil Rogers, childhood friend of Gene Harris from Benton Harbor, Mich. |
early 1990s |
| 2 | 4 | Sonny Rollins with Janie Harris at the Bern Jazz Festival |
probably 1985 |
| 2 | 5 | A young Curtis Stigers, internationally known singer and saxophonist from Boise, playing tenor saxophone
Curtis Stigers played with Gene Harris at the Idanha Hotel in Boise as a teenager.
|
undated |
| 2 | 6 | Clark Terry, trumpeter and flugelhorn player, with drummer Jeff Hamilton and Gene and Janie Harris |
1992 |
| 2 | 7 | Paul Tillotson, Boise pianist. Also photo of the Harris-dubbed "Young Jazz Lions" of Boise featuring Jim Kassis, Tillotson, and Rod Wray |
undated |
| 2 | 8 | Herbert Wagner, Mayor (
Oberbürgermeisterin) of Dresden, Germany, with Gene Harris at a banquet or dinner that was held the day of a benefit concert for a Dresden orphanage |
after 1990 |
| 2 | 9 | Charlie Warren, Boise saxophonist
Photographs include Gene Harris and Billy Mitchell.
|
2001 |
| 2 | 10 | Wedding of Gene and Janie (Hewitt) Harris |
1985 April 21 |
| 2 | 11 | Jazz singer Joe Williams with Ray Brown and Gene Harris, probably at the Bern Jazz Festival, Polaroid |
possibly 1985 |
| 2 | 12 | Nat Yarbrough playing drums in Greywood Studios in Denver, Colorado |
1999 December 8 |
| 2 | 13 | Miscellaneous photographs
Includes, among other photographs, Gene Harris with children in Japan, Ardis Hewitt (Janie Harris' mother), Boise supporter of the arts Marceil Howells, and press photos of Luther Hughes and Frank Potenza.
|
Series 2: MiscellaneousReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 2 | 14 | Benny Poole, saxophonist from Detroit, Michigan, press clippings, flyers, and other biographical materials |
2000-2003, undated |
| 2 | 15 | Concord Records press materials
Includes a photograph of John Burk of Concord Records in the studio.
|
1984, 1988 |
| 2 | 16 | Newspaper clippings and one press release |
1990-2001 |
| 2 | 17 | Philip Morris Superband tour memorabilia
Includes a hand-drawn sketch of the big band's stage layout
|
1991-1992 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Boise (Idaho)
- Brown, Ray, 1926-2002
- Gene Harris Jazz Festival
- Gene Harris Quartet
- Gene Harris Trio
- Harris, Gene, 1933-2000
- Idaho--Songs and music
- Jazz
Finding aid prepared by Collection processed by Kent Randell
2012
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
