A fine if not showy drummer,
Al Harewood had been the epitome of a seasoned, sensitive percussionist since the '50s. He provided consistent, steady rhythmic support and played with a force and surprising dexterity when given the spotlight.
Harewood began his career in the '50s working with the
J.J. Johnson/
Kai Winding duo. He later played with
Gigi Gryce,
Art Farmer, and
George Barrow before joining
Lou Donaldson in 1959. He recorded in the '50s with
David Amram,
Curtis Fuller, and
Benny Golson, as well as
Donaldson, and with
Horace Parlan,
Grant Green, and
Donaldson in the '60s.
Harewood worked briefly with
Mary Lou Williams in 1962, then played with
Stan Getz and later rejoined
Amram. He played with
Chuck Wayne,
Joe Williams,
the Newport Jazz Festival All-Stars, and
Lisle Atkinson in the '70s, recording with
Betty Carter, plus
Fuller and
Parlan once more. He became an instructor at Livingston College in the mid-'70s, and played with the Descendants of Mike & Phoebe in the late '70s and early '80s.
Harewood began playing with
Lee Konitz in 1983. He has no sessions as a leader, but can be heard on reissues by
Parlan,
Green,
Carter, and the
Johnson/
Winding team. ~ Ron Wynn