Beaver Harris | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Godvin Harris |
| Born | April 20, 1936 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 22, 1991 (aged 55) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Drums |
William Godvin "Beaver" Harris (April 20, 1936 – December 22, 1991)[1] was an American jazz drummer who worked extensively with Archie Shepp.[2]
Harris was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Coming from an athletic family, he played baseball as a teenager for the Kansas City Monarchs (then part of the Negro American League) and was scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants.[3]
After serving in the United States Army, Harris began playing drums. In 1963, he moved to New York City and was encouraged to pursue a musical career by Max Roach. While in New York, he worked and/or toured with Marion Brown, Dexter Gordon, Albert Ayler, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Jordan, Howard Johnson, Sheila Jordan, Lee Konitz, Thelonious Monk, Roswell Rudd, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner,[3] Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Chet Baker, Doc Cheatham and Larry Coryell among other musicians.[1]
In addition, Harris founded a "world music" band and called it the 360 Degree Music Experience. The band included some of the most significant artists of the time, including Buster Williams, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Pullen, Jimmy Garrison, Ron Carter, Ricky Ford, and many others.
Harris and his wife, Glo Harris, had three children. Harris died of prostate cancer in New York at the age of 55.[4]
With Albert Ayler
With Marion Brown
With Roswell Rudd
With Archie Shepp
With others
