The Pace Report: "Leaping to Preserve the Narrative" The Donald Harrison Interview

Welcome to this special edition live from the 2025 Syracuse International Jazz Festival.

NEA Jazz Master and Big Chief Donald Harrison graced Downtown Clinton Square in Syracuse, New York. The New Orleans native has been keeping the music alive via shows, the classroom, and his role as a composer and bandleader.

His "Congo Square Suite" is a fuse of Jazz, Classical music, Afro-New Orleans Music, and Hip-Hop. Donald is also the Big Chief of The Congo Square Nation Afro-New Orleans Cultural Group. Today he's carrying on the rich tradition of this music on the bandstand as he was a "young lion" during the 1980s backing the likes of Art Blakey, Jack McDuff, and Roy Haynes.

This year he hosts his second "Donald Harrison's Quantum Leap Music Festival" at Borghese Vineyard and Winery in Cutchogue, New York in Long Island in August. This music festival features acts ranging from The Headhunters, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cyril Neville, and Zaccai Curtis.

Donald and Brian sat down after his set to discuss the upcoming festival, reflects on recording with Dr. John, and keeping the legacy of jazz music alive,

For more information on The Quantum Leap Music Festival please visit their website at www.NOLA2NOFO.com or visit Donald's website at www.DonaldHarrison.com

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