4 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Donald Harrison, Jr., is one of the most influential modern jazz players of his generation. Real Life Stories is the fourth melody-rich document of his 'Noveau Swing' concept. Yes, it's a killer. Harrison took grooves from pop music styles like funk, rock, Jamaican Dancehall, reggae, hip-hop, Caribbean soca, gospel, New Orleans second-line and R&B, and incorporated them subtly into a hard-swinging acoustic jazz band setting. "You don't Exclude, you Include, because jazz wouldn't be here if people didn't include," says Harrison. "The beauty of jazz is that you can find the things that are truly you, tell a story, and people can be touched by it."

PERSONNEL:

DONALD HARRISON, alto sax
CHRISTIAN SCOTT, trumpet
ERIC REED, piano
JONATHAN LEFCOSKI, piano
VICENTE ARCHER, bass
JOHN LAMKIN, DRUMS

Recorded in New York City on November 4 and 6, 2001.

Tracks:
01 Playa Haters 
02 Real Life Stories 
03 Swept From The Sea 
04 Oleo 
05 A Night In Tunisia 
06 Strange Day 
07 Take Five 
08 I`m Barred 
09 Keep The Faith