Heartfelt passion fuels new album from trumpeter Richard Harris

July 12, 2011 (Washington, D.C.) Written by Robert Sutton. It's late in the evening, and the city is lit up like a Christmas tree. Rain falls on the pavement, illuminated by the headlights of passing automobiles. Couples walk together in a tight embrace as the wind brushes against their hair and clothes. Smiles beam through the darkness, but there is sadness, too.

These are the pictures that trumpeter Richard Harris paints with his instrument, the night life that is often associated with jazz. On his latest album Love's Sweet Song, Harris holds a camera to the sun coming down and snaps indelible images of what happens afterward.

Featuring Harris on trumpet and flugelhorn, pianist Mark Kieswetter, saxophonist/clarinetist Andrew Bishop, guitarist John Johnson, bassist Kurt Krahnke, and drummer/percussionist Scott Kretzer, Love's Sweet Song defines class and tastefulness as well as professionalism and, most importantly, heartfelt passion. The emotions that Harris conveys with his trumpet both soothe and stir the soul. His playing on Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" retains the melancholic ache of the original but adds a sultry sheen; his performance is stunningly beautiful, and Krahnke's funky bass adds another layer of depth.

The hopeless romanticism of "The Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is hauntingly pretty; Harris' slow, swirling trumpet is the soundtrack for a moonlight drive. One of the best tracks on the record is "A Song for Gail," which is dedicated to Harris' wife. Kieswetter's crystalline piano offers a yearning undertow to the sweetness of Harris' playing. It's absolutely lovely.

However, Harris' stylistic abilities extend beyond that of romantic balladry. "The Way You Look Tonight" is infectiously upbeat, revealing that Harris can express affection with youthful exuberance as well as adult contentment.

(Harris is a patient with primary systemic amyloidosis, a rare and fatal blood disease that presently has no cure. A portion of each copy sold of Love's Sweet Song will be donated to amyloidosis support.)

More Information: http://www.richardharrislive.com

Submitted By: