...a fecund mind that is continually searching for new horizons towards which to stretch, taking with him a bass violin that sings with almost limitless possibilities.
On Bright Dawn, his 21st recording as a leader, Harvie S reaffirms why he remains one of the most expressive and sought-after bass voices in modern jazz. Long celebrated for bass lines that function "like the deep roots of a tree," Harvie uses this session to explore the full sonic and emotional range of the instrument, shaping music that is at once grounded, lyrical, and quietly adventurous. His original compositions—thoughtful, rhythmically alive, and rich with harmonic implication—sit naturally alongside inspired interpretations of Chick Corea's "Humpty Dumpty" and Bob Dorough's wry classic "Devil May Care," creating a program that feels both personal and expansive. Surrounded by Peter Bernstein's warm, articulate guitar, Miki Hayama's elegant and probing piano, and Matt Wilson's ever-responsive drums, Harvie leaves generous space for interaction, nuance, and collective discovery. The result is a recording that breathes, melodies unfolding organically and grooves emerging with unforced authority, all anchored by the unmistakable sound of a master bassist whose imagination and touch continue to evolve.
"The bassist's horn-like, bebop-based phrasing is as engaging as it is inventive...leaving no doubts about his stature as one of the preeminent bass voices..." All About Jazz
Track Listing:
1 Ghosts of Havana 6:47
2 Devil May Care 5:21
3 Waltz for Vartan 5:28
4 Navalny 4:02
5 I've Got Rhythm and Blues 4:04
6 Yukimi's Song 4:51
7 Humpty Dumpty 3:54
8 The Truth 5:41
9 Voice in the Sky 5:12
10 Swithering 4:59
(1,3-6,8-10) by Harvie S (Ondine Music, ASCAP)
(2) by Bob Dorough (Sincere Music Co, BMI)
(7) by Chick Corea (Universal Music Corporation, ASCAP)
Performers:
Harvie S - double bass
Peter Bernstein - electric guitar (1,2,3,5,8,9)
Miki Hayama - piano (4,6-8,10), Fender Rhodes (1,9), synthesizer (1)
Matt Wilson - drums
Production Info:
Produced by Harvie S
Recorded & mastered by Dave Kowalski at Teaneck Sound
Recorded on October 28, 2024
Mixed by Dave Kowalski & Harvie S
Cover photo by Yukimi
All other photos by Nick Carter
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Bright Dawn
Paris-Move (Thierry De Clemensat)
5 STARS
Few bassists in contemporary jazz combine diplomatic stature, compositional ambition and melodic authority as convincingly as Harvie S. A former Jazz Ambassador for the United States, a touring artist across Europe and Southeast Asia, and co-leader of the influential Double Image, which recorded for ECM Records and Enja Records, Harvie S ...
Bass Musician Magazine ( Karen Beishuizen)
Harvie S is an American jazz double-bassist. He recorded numerous albums as a leader and co-leader, with over 400 recordings as a sideman. He has been a professor of jazz bass and ensembles at the Manhattan School of Music since 1984. He has a new album coming out on 20 March: "Bright Dawn", where he features the bass as a melodic instrument.
...
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
Bassist extraordinaire Harvie S does some delightful interplay with his adroit team Peter Bernstein/g, Miki Hayama/p and Matt Wilson/dr on this collection of mostly originals. He strums the strings to lead into a hip boogie groove with Bernstein on the classic "Devil May Care" while his digits pizzicato with pleasure with Hayama on the post-bop rea ...
Making A Scene (Dee Dee McNeil)
Bassist Harvie S can proudly boast, this is his 21st album release as a band leader. He is also one of the most respected and sought after bass voices in the jazz music arena. For this project, the bass master has composed eight out of ten songs.
The quartet opens with "Ghosts of Havana," a melodic, low-key, original composition by Harvie S. O ...
