A Man on a Mission
HISTORY
Zac Harmon is returning to his roots after several decades expressing an unbiased love for music. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Harmon is a disciple of the Farish Street blues sound. (Farish Street is universally recognized as the home of many great blues legends including the late, great Elmore James.). During the 50’s and 60’s Harmon hung out at his father’s pharmacy on Farish (first African-American pharmacy in Jackson), soaking up the aura and sounds of the musician customers while developing his skills as a guitarist, organist and vocalist. Like many he honed those skills while at church.
Harmon’s early years included stints as
guitarist for Z.Z Hill, Dorothy Moore,
McKinley Mitchell and Sam Myers.
Sam along with Jesse Robinson and
Mel Brown played a significant role
in Harmon’s development guiding
his progress through the rifts of
rock ‘n roll to the true blues. At
the age of 16 he was teaching guitar
at the local YMCA, instructing young
men such as Eddie Cotton to play
church music. Family demands
and his own commitment to pursue
an education meant replacing music
for college. However once completed
he couldn’t stay away from his calling.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1980 to pursue
a career in music, Harmon worked as
a studio musician and began to make
a name for himself as a writer/producer,
crafting songs for such varied notables
as Karyn White, Freddie Jackson,
Evelyn “Champagne” King, The WhispersCherrelle, K.C. & Jo Jo, The Mississippi Mass Choir and Children’s Choir, Alexander O’Neal and the O’Jays. He produced songs on the Mystical Truth album for Black Uhuru that received a Grammy nomination in 1994.
Later, while composing songs for a movie score and performing those songs in the studio, Harmon decided to pursue his longtime dream of recording his first blues project. The result, Live at Babe & Ricky's Inn, (2002 Another Production Company) was an electrifying testimonial to the blues, featuring eight totally original songs that truly embodies the Mississippi blues sound.
Sponsored by the Southern California Blues Society of Los Angeles, Harmon and the Mid South Blues Revue went on to win The Blues Foundation’s 2004 International Blues Challenge as “best unsigned blues band.” Since then there’s been no looking back with the release of the latest CD, “The Blues According to Zacariah,” appearances at US festivals, signing to a booking agent and international tours to Canada and France.
Harmon is a man on a mission and he’s here to stay.
Performance Reviews
While vacationing in Paris, France,
I had a chance to attend a blues s
how featuring D.C. Bellamy, whom
I wrote about in the last issue.
This issue will feature the headliner
that performed at the same Paris
show held at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club.
This jazz club is the most revered
of jazz venues in Paris. It is named
after Lionel Hampton, who still is
considered a favorite jazz musician
among the Parisians. The Lionel
Hampton Jazz Club is located in the
Le Meridian Hotel, a five star facility
in the northwest part of the city.
This is the venue that hosts the world’s
biggest names in jazz and blues.
The night I chose to attend a show at this venerable club, it happened to be the last night that Zac Harmon & the Mid South Blues Revue were performing in Paris. They, along with D.C. Bellamy, were completing a two week stint in Paris. Prior to their Paris show, they had been in the Bahamas. After Paris, these wonderful musicians were slated to tour Canada.
D.C. Bellamy set the performance bar very high during the first half of the show. By the time he left the stage, he had the audience clapping wildly on its feet. By the time Zac Harmon took the stage, it was clear that we were all prepared to be disappointed. After such a spirited performance, it was hard to imagine anything to surpass it.
Zac Harmon took the stage quietly. He looked rather subdued and somber as he stood quietly. The audience connected with his quiet demeanor and silence fell over the large and crowded room. This quiet moment gave all of us an opportunity to study Zac Harmon’s tall frame. Age and the challenges of life were easily visible on his face.
Zac opened up with an impassioned gospel song. He and the band played the song as if they were deep in a prayerful trance, in a state that ignored the presence of the audience. This was raw emotion and spirituality and the audience understood. The musical wizardry that the band was capable of was forgotten as they prayed on with their instruments.
After the gospel rendition, Zac Harmon & the Mid South Blues Revue brought Zac’s native Mississippi sound to the multi-national crowd. The band’s sound was intense and unrelenting. Zac’s Fender Stratocaster wailed loudly at times, and it moaned softly at other times. At no time did the band release its iron grip on the audience.
Harmon’s roots ooze out of his music and are the foundation of his experiences. Even when talking to the diverse audience in the club, he used colloquialisms from Mississippi. For those who did not understand either Zac’s language or the Mississippi vernacular, the music did the talking. Harmon’s long life of experiences came through in his music. We re-lived the ebb and flow of his life through his performance. As a performer, he is a "no frills" musician. Those who want the most music out of a show would be very please by Zac Harmon. Although he does not waste precious time talking endlessly, he does share enough of himself and his background for the audience to know who he is and where he is from.
In appearance, Zac Harmon could
be mistaken for a preacher. The
large and prominent cross on the front
of his guitar strap only helps to confirm
the suspicion. He is clean cut,
conservatively dressed, and clearly
is a very disciplined man. His love
of gospel and the way he plays
gospel songs is proof of how much
time he has spent in church. However,
the gospel Harmon is preaching
around the world is that of the blues
In many ways, it is not so far fetched
to call him a preacher.
View Zac Harmon's EPK
Oct. / Nov '06
Big City Rhythm and Blues
Zac Harmon interview by Bonnie Queen B Stebbins appears in Big City Rhythm and Blues
Oct. 06
Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise
Zac Harmon wins the Pro-Jammer Award on the 2006 (W. Coast) Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Oct. 06
August 31, 2006
BluesWax – Adam Harris
His latest record, The Blues According to Zacariah, is an incredibly tight testament to one of Blues' inspired visionaries. The southern R&B Soul of Ray Charles, the Windy City echo of Buddy Guy's guitar, some West Coast harp, and a fervent, youthful voice are all etched deeply into the book of Zac Harmon.
June / July 2006
Blues Revue – Will Romano
It's our 100th issue, and we've worked hard to make it the best Blues Revue ever! We interview 10 artists who represent the future of the blues… #5 Zac Harmon… Think latter-day Eric Clapton or Robert Cray with shades of Luther Allison and BB King…
June 2006
Blues Festival Guide
The Blues According to Zacariah reflects Zac Harmon's commitment to the blues, taking you from the pulpit to the juke joint. Recorded with his Mid South Blues Revue, the album features the uplifting gospel song, "That Mighty High", "Sugarman" (composed with MSBR guitarist "B.R." Millon with satisfying thrills from harp man Jeff Stone) and crowd favorite "Who's Knockin'.
May 22, 2006
WLNZ 89.7 FM Top Music Lists
WLNZ 89.7 FM Top Music Lists – Zac Harmon - The Blues According To Zacariah
May 13, 2006
Mary4Music.com - Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Review of 2006 Blues Music Awards
… the performances put on by so many present and future blues legends was absolutely outstanding. With respect to each and every one of them I'd like to mention that from this viewers point of view, the evenings highlight was when Nora Jean Brusso joined Zac Harmon and his band. Zac had just gotten done blowing the roof off of the Convention Center with two powerful numbers when Nora Jeanstrolled onto the stage as if to say "Oh yeah? Now watch this". With Zac and the band backing her up, Nora let loose and tore down the remainder of the building. Unquestionably, this was a happening in the making.
May 7, 2006
"House of Blues Radio Hour" with Dan Akroyd
Zac Harmon featured on "House of Blues Radio Hour" with Dan Akroyd
May 5, 2006
"Take Names Later Blues" KUNR 88.7 FM
"Take Names Later Blues" hosted by Roger Slugg on KUNR 88.7 FM spotlights Zac Harmon and Keb' Mo'
May 2006
STLBlues.net – RJ "Hitman" Hendricks
I can say is… OH YEAH!!! This is just some downright awesome Mississippi Blues straight off Farish Street. Every song is oozing the blues… Zac has and incredible voice that is accompanied by some soul felt guitar playing and an amazing group of talented musician... Terrific album, a must for any blues collection.
