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Eddie Harris

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description Eddie Harris Overview

Eddie Harris was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work crossed hard bop, soul jazz, funk, and electronic experimentation. His recording of the theme from Exodus became a hit in 1961, bringing him broad recognition. He later explored amplified saxophone, keyboards, and unconventional instruments, producing music for listeners interested in the overlap between acoustic jazz, popular rhythm, and early fusion.

help Eddie Harris FAQ

What was Eddie Harris's biggest hit song?

Eddie Harris scored a major hit with his 1961 instrumental version of 'Exodus,' the theme from the 1960 Otto Preminger film of the same name. The recording crossed over onto both jazz and pop charts and established Harris as a commercially successful artist early in his career.

What album did Eddie Harris record with Les McCann?

Harris collaborated with pianist Les McCann on the album 'Swiss Movement,' recorded live at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival. The album, featuring the breakout track 'Compared to What,' became one of the best-selling jazz albums of its era and a landmark of soul jazz.

Did Eddie Harris play the electric saxophone?

Yes, Harris was one of the first jazz musicians to seriously explore the electric saxophone, using a Varitone pickup system on his tenor sax to produce amplified, effects-laden sounds. This experimentation placed him at the forefront of jazz-funk fusion in the late 1960s and 1970s.

What record labels did Eddie Harris record for?

Harris recorded prolifically for Atlantic Records throughout the 1960s and 1970s, producing many of his best-known albums. Earlier in his career he also recorded for Vee-Jay Records, where his hit version of 'Exodus' was originally released.