Eddie Harris

Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934–November 5, 1996), was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Although he was one of the most popular jazz musicians of his day (and the first to receive a gold record), his inclusion in his repertoire of

Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934–November 5, 1996), was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Although he was one of the most popular jazz musicians of his day (and the first to receive a gold record), his inclusion in his repertoire of types of music other than jazz and his incorporation of comedy into his act led many jazz critics to consider him insufficiently committed to jazz. His experimentation with other types of music sometimes had questionable results, but many still regard him as one of the great jazz musicians.

Harris grew up in Chicago, and like other successful Chicago musicians such as Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Clifford Jordan, Johnny Griffin, Gene Ammons, Julian Priester, and Bo Diddley (among others), studied music under Walter Dyett at DuSable High School. He later studied music at Roosevelt College, by which time he was proficient on piano, vibraphone, and tenor saxophone. While in college he performed professionally with Gene Ammons.