University of Virginia Library

Prism Artist Harris
Termed 'Contagious'

By Don Smith

Folk artist Jon Harris provided a
wonderfully entertaining evening
for those fortunate to see his show
at the Prism last Friday. Mr. Harris,
quickly establishing a very warm
and relaxed rapport with his audience,
joked and sang his way
through a multi varied repertoire
which included serious folk music,
blues, and jug band music. He
clearly takes his music seriously,
but without becoming overly self conscious.
His enjoyment was irrepressibly
contagious.

Although generally accompanying
himself on six-string guitar, Mr.
Harris began his performance on
the twelve-string, with an instrumental
written during the Depression,
"Buck Dancers Choice." He
did not seem comfortable with his
guitar on this opening number,
however, and relaxed noticeably
upon returning to the six-string for
"Cocaine Blues," a song often
associated with Dave van Ronk.

The opening set featured two
pure blues numbers: "Sportin'
Life" and "The Jarz Are Blue." The
first, written by Sonny Terry and
Brownie McGhee, a noted country
blues duo, elicited an enthusiastic
response from the audience. Both
numbers were well executed and
demonstrated his firm roots in the
blues tradition.

The most outstanding moments
of the set came when Mr. Harris put
his kazoo holder around his neck
and swung through his jug-band
music. Mr. Harris worked, a few
years ago, with a jug band and has
not lost any of his flare for
projecting that music's fun. His
clever lyrics and humorous kazoo
playing brought smiles to the faces
of everyone listening.

His distinctive voice and engaging
personality make him the
enjoyable performer that he is. I
missed his last set, but I was told
that Gary Greenwood, the very fine
guitarist for Chrysanthemum,
joined Mr. Harris for an outstanding
jam.

Jon Harris is an unusual performer;
it is a shame his appearances
are so infrequent.