Tom Harrell has managed to fight courageously (and successfully) against schizophrenia to become one of jazz's top trumpeters of the 1980s and '90s and well into the new millennium. On-stage, he is totally focused on his playing and seems to only come alive when he is improvising. Harrell grew up in Northern California and toured with Stan Kenton (1969), Woody Herman (1970-1971), and Horace Silver (1973-1977). He moved to New York in the mid-'70s, and played during this period with Cecil Payne, Bill Evans (1979), the Lee Konitz Nonet (1979-1981), and George Russell (1982). Harrell traveled the world with the Phil Woods Quintet (1983-1989) and went on to generally lead his own bands, recording for Contemporary and Chesky before landing at RCA for 1996's Labyrinth; subsequent outings include 1997's The Art of Rhythm, 1999's Time's Mirror, 2001's Paradise, and 2003's Wise Children. In 2007, Harrell moved to High Note and released Light On. In 2009, Harrell continued in a similar vein with the atmospheric Prana Dance. His style mixes together the power of Clifford Brown with the lyricism of Chet Baker. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Tom Harrell was born in Urbana, Illinois and began playing the trumpet at age eight. He soon moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, and was gigging with local bands by age thirteen. In 1969 he graduated from Stanford University with a music composition degree and joined Stan Kenton's orchestra, touring and recording with them throughout 1969.
Since 1989 Harrell has led his own groups; usually quintets but occasionally big bands. He has appeared at virtually every major jazz club and festival, and recorded under his own name for such record labels as Pinnacle, Blackhawk, Criss Cross, SteepleChase, Contemporary Records, Chesky, and RCA. Harrell is currently represented by Addeo Music International (AMI).
Schizophrenia
Harrell suffers from paranoid schizophrenia[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Despite this condition's usually paralyzing effects[8], Mr. Harrell is able to play trumpet at an extraordinary skill level that has brought him many record deals[9] and was awarded Down Beat Magazine's readers' and critics' polls Best Trumpeter of 1996[10]. Through music and medication, Mr. Harrell is able to cope with his illness[11]. When he plays his trumpet, the effects of his illness nearly disappear.[12]
