EDDIE HARRISON JUMP STARS
Call it swing or call it jump, it’s the hottest sound around. Even teenagers who don’t
know Duke from Basie are learning about the music of Louis Jordan, as dance clubs
feature the sweet swinging sounds of horns, piano and acoustic bass. It’s tough to match
the energy of Louis Jordan, but if anyone comes close, it’s Eddie Harrison’s Jump
Stars, who make every night a fish fry. Harrison has updated the classic tunes from the
swing era, and he’s surrounded himself with brilliant professional singers and musicians,
including Roger Harris (piano), Tyrone Blair (drums) and Steve Hashimoto (bass).
Harrison and his band can be heard regularly at ’s Last Resort and Navy Pier.

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars -- Swing’s the thing all over the land these days, as it
seems anyone with a zoot suit thinks he can lead a hip band. Would-be hipsters ought to
check out Harrison’s sound for a dose of the real thing. No one can duplicate the sound of
Louis Jordan, but Harrison and his Jump Stars have their own fish to fry. Harrison’s seven-
piece band muscles its way through sharp and tasty arrangements. And while most of
today’s swing groups feature one vocalist, Harrison employs four strong ones. Harrison, who
plays saxophone, adds his own vocals on three tracks. Randy Herman, Deborah Powell and
Samotta fill in on the rest of the tunes, and the rotating crew works beautifully to keep the
party hopping. The disc features several tunes associated with Louis Jordan, including
Caldonia, Barnyard Boogie, and Saturday Night Fish Fry.  Somewhere up in hep cat
heaven, Jordan must be tapping his foot and smiling.
Featuring: Roger Harris, Steve Hashimoto, Tyrone Blair, Scott Hall, Warren Bingham,
Kevin Cline, Randy Herman, Deborah Powell, and Samotta.