Funding for the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program NEA Jazz Master interview was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. BARRY HARRIS NEA Jazz Master (1989) Interviewee: Barry Harris (December 19, 1929 - ) Interviewer: Aaron Graves with recording engineer Ken Kimery Date: August 20th, 2010 Repository: Archives Center, National Museum of American History Description: Transcript, 36 pp. Graves: My name is Aaron Graves, today is August the 20th 2010. We’re here at the University of the Streets with Master Barry Harris. And we’re going to ask Mr. Harris, if you would to give us – state your name for us. Harris: Okay. Barry D. Harris. The “D” stands for Doyle. Barry Doyle Harris. Graves: Barry Doyle Harris. Harris: That’s right. Graves: That’s new to the world? Harris: All Irish all the way. Graves: Irish? Harris: Irish and English and Scottish. And born – when – December 15th, 1929. Graves: Mm-hm. Harris: In a little cabin. [laughs] Graves: When – where were you born? Harris: Where was I born? For additional information contact the Archives Center at 202.633.3270 or
[email protected] Graves: Where were you born? Harris: I was born in Herman Kiefer Hospital in Detroit. You know, so Detroit was really my home, you know for quite a few years. Graves: So, mother and father. What’s your mother and father’s names? Harris: Mother’s named Bessie, father’s named Melvin. Graves: Melvin. Harris: That’s right, as you know. Graves: Alright. So who named you? Do you know who named you – your name is Barry Doyle… Harris: Don’t ask me.