Starting out playing a beautiful melodic introduction on “Star Eyes” the band joined in with Leroy Williams accenting the high points and swinging on the melody while Don Thompson carried the bottom end and complemented the harmony. Dr. Harris is all about the melody along with exceptional phrasing, he has an impeccable feel, coming in with the perfect note at the perfect spot.

Leroy Williams is the best drummer for Barry Harris, he knows his every move, he anticipates where Harris is directing the song and he is always there, even one step ahead. I asked Dr. Harris how it is that Leroy Williams is always in the pocket and so supportive, his reply, “That’s because we’ve been together for over thirty years. One time I was asked to play a duet show, I couldn’t find a bass player, so Leroy and I played that show, piano and drums — it’s one of the best shows we ever did.” When I spoke with Leroy Williams about this gig, he agreed, “That was at Bradley’s in Greenwich Village, they had duets there and it was usually a bass player and a piano player. Barry called me up and told me we were going to play it, it was great, we had a great time.”

Howard Johnson joined the trio for the second set; the schedule indicated the performance would be by Barry Harris and the Art of Jazz All Stars. It remained the trio as described above with Howard Johnson as the featured guest. Johnson performed on two songs, a ballad and Mingus’ “Well You Needn’t.” When Howard Johnson plays tuba it sounds like a myriad of instruments all combined, not muddled, each with a distinct voice, I hear trombone, trumpet and even saxophone. I have heard excellent musicians comment that what Johnson does on tuba is not supposed to be possible. The range of sound he achieves, from the highs of a piccolo to the lowest sounds of this lowest-sounding western musical instrument is astounding. When I commented to Mr. Johnson about him sounding like trombones and trumpets, he replied, “Listen my friend, when I play the tuba it sounds the way a tuba should sound.” Tuba players pay attention, no more um-pa-pa. For a taste of incredible tuba playing check out Johnson’s group Howard Johnson & Gravity and the album of the same name released in 1996 on the Verve label. Johnson is a multi-instrumentalist, playing reeds and cornet, for his guest appearance with Barry Harris he only played tuba and his solos were inspirational.