Harry Whitaker

American pianist and songwriter, born September 19, 1942 in Pensacola, Florida, died November 17, 2010 in New York City. He grew up in Detroit, soaking up the bluesy sensibility of Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, and Hank Jones. Harry moved to New York City in 1961, playing nights and weekends until his first long-term gig (1965-1970), with R&B star Lloyd Price. He landed various road jobs, including stints with Eugene McDaniel, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. He spent four years with vibist Roy Ayers in the Funk/Fusion group "Ubiquity," playing organ, piano, harpsichord, electric piano, and synthesizers, creating music that regularly attracts the hip-hop samplers of today. Next he became Roberta Flack's musical director, a position he held for nine years. Since then, he's worked with such artists as Stephanie Mills, Carmen Lundy, Gary Bartz, and Phyllis Hyman, while director Quentin Tarantino featured his music in the film "Jackie Brown." All told, Harry has played on at least 25 albums, his first as leader "The Sound of Harry Whitaker" (2001) on Fresh Sound Records. During his later years, he recorded two more jazz piano albums for Smalls Record label. He frequently played at New York City jazz clubs, such as Smalls, Fat Cat and Arturo’s (where he had a weekly gig).

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