Harley, Rufus

Bagpipes of the World

Label: Transparency Country: USA

"In 1995 jazz bagpiper and multi-instrumentalist Rufus Harley went to Paris to record. The first disc in this collection is 77 minutes recorded with Rufus playing both baby soprano sax and American bagpipes, in tandem with a French bagpipe group whose bagpipes have a completely different tuning for a strange and somewhat mysterious mystical-sounding contrast, slightly reminiscent of the Master Musicians of Joujouka at times. Rufus is also backed by the George Avunitas Trio on several of the tracks and sings the definitive version of his signature song, "Wake Up! It's Me!" among standards interpreted in a way you've never heard before.

The second disc is a one-hour interview with Richard Segan on One World Radio done just six weeks before Rufus' passing and it showcases in words the enthusiasm and spirit in his music and life and makes this a truly personal release. And wonderfully, two of Rufus Harley's musical sons (he had fourteen children) wanted to be involved to make this a family tribute. Trumpeter America Patton Harley sends a beautiful five-song studio session he did in Kansas City, and his brother, trumpeter Messiah Patton Harley sends a complete concert from Jamaica in 2002, where he and his father performed together with Jamaican musicians. This concert is as much bizarre stylistic fun as the different bagpipe tunings in the Paris recordings. Imagine jazz standards done in a technicolor lounge style but backed with the foundation of a Jamaican rhythm section, adding a surreal reggae cross current to the proceedings. This album is truly global, as Rufus Harley, the international ambassador of good will and love, would have wanted it!"-Transparency