Ace Harris

Ace Harris (April 1, 1910, New York City - June 11, 1964, Chicago) was an American jazz pianist.

Harris played in several territory bands in the 1930s, working with Billy Steward's Serenaders in 1932 and with Bill Mears's Sunset Royal Serenaders from 1935. In 1937 Harris took over leadership of the Sunset Royal Serenaders, and recorded with them that same year; he remained with the group until 1939.

In 1944, Harris recorded with Hot Lips Page, then joined the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, with whom he recorded several times. He played with Hawkins until 1947, and returned to play with him again in 1950-51. Harris also recorded with small ensembles in the 1940s and with a jump blues band in 1951-52. He played at the Cloister Inn in Chicago in 1954.

A compact disc of Harris's recordings spanning 1937-52 was released by Jazz Classics in 2004.

Harris should not be confused with Johnny "Ace" Harris (1928?-2000), a pianist for The Ink Spots.

References

*Howard Rye, "Ace Harris". "Grove Jazz" online.

Further reading

*Hugues Panassie and M. Gautier. "Dictionnaire du jazz", 3rd ed., 1987.