Gene Harris

Pianist

Birthday September 1, 1933

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace Michigan

DEATH DATE Jan 16, 2000 (66)

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About

Jazz artist who specialized in soul jazz. His recording of Ode to Billie Joe became a jazz classic.

Before Fame

He was a member of The Three Sounds trio from 1956 until 1970, playing with drummer Bill Dowdy and bassist Andy Simpkins.

Trivia

He helped debut Boise's annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival in 1998.

Family Life

His daughter was prepared to donate a kidney to him, but he unfortunately died from kidney failure a month before the surgery could take place.

Associated With

He retired in the late 1970s to Idaho, but was talked out of retirement by bassist Ray Brown.