There is something profound and groovy about jazz harp. Art nouveau self-actualized in time, space, and sound.

The harp itself is somewhat confounding—but perhaps only to me. A number of years ago I found myself at a colleague’s informal harp recital at a university library. I remember feeling some reservations as I considered the event. I anticipated a highly skilled, though somewhat anemic concert experience—a delicate little harp emitting lovely sounds at a discomfitingly underwhelming volume.

I was dumbfounded as I attended and found myself apologizing to the universe regarding my prejudices against the harp. The full-size instrument emitted a very full and forthright sounds that demanded my attention as much as any solo concert piano would have. And of course it did. I always forget that both harp and piano are considered percussive instruments.

Thus is was warm delight when I found this little album, The Fantastic Jazz harp of Dorothy Ashby (1965) (US, Harp Jazz). Dorothy Ashby’s harp is amazing. I often eschew ballads and slow-tempo jams for more dynamic grooves, I found each song to be a peppy good time.

Please remember to always drink responsibly. Thanks!

Mellow Dream Ryo Fukui starts off slow and finishes funky. Kind of like the Dreaming Tree Cabernet by dreamingtreewines.com. Cabernets by their nature, often seem forceful in their presentation with a take-no-prisoners attitude. This one starts off strong and finishes in a light day-dreamy way.

A perfect pairing for a spicy gourmet pizza on a chilly fall afternoon.

Mellow dream is the first song on the 1977 album of the same name by Ryo Fukui.
Fukui’s groovy piano solo jams with a lightly frenetic tempo and later on is paired with a more temperate, melodic bass solo.

When the song finishes with a dash of timpani, it leaves you wanting more… sort of like a last sip of Dreaming Tree Cabernet.

Please remember to always drink responsibly. Thanks!