Billy Harper did a lot to keep jazz going in the '70s, but he also took it a step further, blending styles to create a very dynamic sound. It's not uncommon to hear Harper go from a very calm, relaxed feel to an aggressive, roaring one. It catches you off guard, but still remains seamless and feels completely natural. It also helps that he had a great ensemble that shared that ability with him and encouraged his style with their superior, group sense of where the song was going and what Billy would do next.
Got any favorite jazz ensembles?
