Arville Harris is best-remembered today for his playing on a large number of Clarence Williams record dates in the late 1920's. Harris picked up experience performing on riverboats during the first half of the 20's. He worked with Hershal Brassfield (1921), Bill Brown and the Brownies (1925-28) and was an asset (although never a major name) on many of Clarence Williams' sessions during 1927-30. Harris was a member of the Cab Calloway Orchestra (1931-35) and then gradually faded out of the jazz major leagues. He worked with Jack Butler (1935), LeRoy Smith, Claude Hopkins (off and on during 1937-39), pianist Maurice Rocco and during his final decade headed his own band at the Majestic Ballroom in New York. Considered a journeyman, Arville Harris never led his own record date. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
