Barry Harris, the pianist and composer, who first made a name for himself in the fifties in New York, travels all over the world to give masterclasses, workshops and concerts. The man, who worked with great bebop legends like Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Stitt, recently called in at The Hague to give masterclasses at the Royal Conservatory for the thirteenth consecutive year. At the time he told the Haagsche Courant why he endeavors to keep bebop music as pure as possible. “For me, bebop is the only way to make jazz. Bebop signifies the peak of jazz music. You have to have had that basis, and you can't forget Coleman Hawkins or all those greats. Charlie Parker changed the music's rhythm, but not necessarily the notes. That rhythm is what's important, else we would all sound like rock 'n roll. We have to hold on to the music the way it's supposed to as long as possible.” Barry Harris will be playing at the festival with John Webber (bass) and Joe Farnsworth (drums).
