YOU LOVED ME THEN reflects composer David Harris’ musical journey, from his first experiences with classical, to encounters with psychedelic rock and discoveries of jazz legends. With the help of renowned pianist Paul English and a cadre of exceptional jazz talents, Harris brings some of his favorites to life on this Big Round Records release.
Today, David is our featured artist in “The Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to learn about his expertise in the world of wealth management and thoughts on the artists that move him the most…
Take us on a walk through your musical library. What record gets the most plays?
My musical library couldn’t be more eclectic. My one criterion for music is that it moves me. I listen to Josquin des Prez motets from the 15th century through Thelonious Monk in the mid 20th century, through U2 and on to Billie Eilish. I love Celtic folk, I love bluegrass, I love classic rock, I love French Impressionism, to name a few.
Who moves me the most? Depends on the day and my mood. The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Coltrane, Bowie, Prince, Wayne Shorter, Jobim, Joni Mitchell, Keith Jarrett, Satie, Ravel. To me, they’re all part of the same continuum. They all play from the heart, are emotionally powerful and singularly original.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t a musician I’d be doing exactly what I do now during the day: helping people. I’m one of the top-rated wealth managers in the country. I love the personal satisfaction of helping people whom I care about — my clients — and the challenge of outsmarting whatever investor is on the opposite side of my trade.
What were your first musical experiences?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t transfixed by music. My father had an extensive record collection, ranging from Bach and Mahler to Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. What grabbed me when I was about three were the Romantic composers. I got a cheap little turntable and listened to Little Drummer Boy over and over.
How have your influences changed over the years?
My influences are continually changing as I hear new music that I haven’t heard before, read poetry that I haven’t read before, or seen wondrous sights that I haven’t seen before. If we stay open to the world around us, we can’t help but be influenced by it — and it’s always changing.
What’s the greatest performance you’ve ever seen, and what made it special?
There have been so many, each special for different reasons. The most powerful experience for me was seeing Sun Ra and his Arkestra perform in Boston. They started with a 1930’s big band classic and traveled through history on their own spaceship of creativity. It was about a four-hour concert, but any sense of time was suspended. I’d love to be able to allow my listeners to transcend themselves in the way that Sun Ra and his amazing group did for me.
What advice would you give your younger self if given the chance?
Keep listening to everything; don’t be a snob. And practice more!
What emotions would you like listeners to experience upon hearing your work?
ALL of them. Simultaneously. The greatest music and art move us in a way that’s so deep we can’t even describe it. It’s not just making us happy or sad. It goes further and deeper than that; it’s ineffable.
David Harris was born and raised in Kalamazoo MI to parents who loved the arts. He began listening to his father’s record collection, falling in love with the Romantic composers at age 3. After much begging, his parents acceded to piano lessons for Harris starting in first grade. Initially, he had to walk to the college where his father taught to use their piano for practice until his parents were sure that he wasn’t going to quit lessons and leave them stuck with a piano.