joelharrison.com
uricaine.com
gabeterracciano.com
joedyson.com

Joel Harrison, guitar / voice
Uri Caine, piano
Gabe Terraciano, violin
Jerome Harris, bass
Joe Dyson, drums
With special guest Sarah Fimm

Guitarist, composer, arranger, lyricist, writer, educator, and vocalist JOEL HARRISON has “created a new blueprint for jazz” (New Orleans Times-Picayune). Harrison’s music may be founded on jazz but veers into classical, rock, country, and all manner of American roots music. Succinctly described by the New York Timesas “protean… brilliant,” he has also written multiple works for chamber ensembles and is an active film composer. Harrison is the founder and director of the Alternative Guitar Summit, a yearly festival devoted to new and unusual guitar music. Pat Metheny has called the Summit “one of the most interesting and distinguished forums for guitar on the planet.”

Free Country recontextualizes country and Appalachian music into a jazz context. Finding the connection between African, African American, and Eurocentric traditions, Harrison has forged a sound which the London Times called “The most singular vision you’ll hear all year.” The band’s repertoire includes fiddle tunes, spirituals, classic Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, all repurposed through his boundless imagination. Says Harrison, “I believe it’s important to expand the jazz repertoire beyond its typical boundaries. These pieces are great launching pads for improvisation.” He has released three records over 22 years with this concept, Free Country, So Long Second Street, and Angel Band.