Donald Harrison, Jr.

Donald Harrison, Jr. (born June 23, 1960, New Orleans) is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and cultural steward whose artistry stretches across jazz, funk, classical, and Afro-New Orleans traditions. A disciple of New Orleans’ deep musical lineage, Harrison was raised amid brass bands, Mardi Gras Indian chant, and second-line ritual under the guidance of his father, Donald Harrison, Sr. He studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and later at Berklee College of Music, and early in his career performed with jazz greats such as Roy Haynes, Jack McDuff, and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Over his decades-long career, Harrison pioneered “Nouveau Swing,” an innovative blend of modern jazz with R&B, hip-hop, rock, and soul. He has also explored orchestral composition, led genre-crossing collectives, and embraced mentorship as a core part of his mission, guiding emerging artists such as Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, and Esperanza Spalding. In 2022, Harrison was awarded the A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy — the United States’ highest honor in jazz — recognizing both his musical mastery and his dedication to preserving and evolving the culture of New Orleans. Whether performing with his ensemble, composing across genres, or leading cultural initiatives, Harrison continues to embody New Orleans’ forward-reaching spirit by connecting roots to innovation.

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