The April 21 edition of Africa400 explores the topic “Legacy & Heritage: Re-Creation of the Gods” as the Jazz & Justice Series continues. Mama Tomiko and Baba Ty welcome their Special Guests, Sis. Noah Harmony Shoats Harley, Bro. America Beautiful Patton Harley and Bro. Gods Messiah Patton Harley, the children of legendary jazz bagpipe master Rufus Harley (1936-2006).
The Jazz and Justice series this week highlights International Philadelphia Jazz Legend, Ambassador and Messenger of Freedom Rufus Harley. Adopting Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell Harley was known internationally as The Pied Piper of Jazz spreading the message of peace and love.
He played various wind instruments but as son and protégé Gods Messiah would say, ‘ he found his voice and destiny on the bagpipes.’ This destiny would lead Rufus Harley to produce several albums such as pictured above.
Rufus Harley’s musical work is now embodied in the Philadelphia-based Rufus Harley Foundation led by youngest daughter and Executive Director Sister Noah Harmony Shoatz Harley and brothers and trumpeters America Beautiful and Gods Messiah Patton Harley. Above: Sister Noah, Messiah in pink shirt, America in gray jacket; Sis, Noah with her Father.
Those are just three of Rufus Harley’s 12 children. Above: group photo of little Harley children at Christmas; group wedding photo of older Harley children.
Brothers and Trumpeters Philadelphia’s Gods Messiah and Kansas’s America Beautiful continue their musical journey as well as their father’s rich jazz legacy. Above: younger brothers with father Rufus Harley; older brothers recently playing together in Philadelphia Club (Messiah in white shorts and America in gray suit).
One can continue to see the Rufus Harley jazz legacy in the next generation of his grandchildren like Kansas jazz pianist Miles and saxophonist Elliott Patton Clemons, sons of Rufus Harley’s daughter Egypt Patton. Left: Miles at piano with uncle America; Right: brothers Miles on piano and Elliott on saxophone.
To follow the Rufus Harley legacy, events, and musical releases go to rufusharley.com.
For the April 21 show, listen below:
Below are some more Harley Family Photos. The Legacy Continues!
Africa400 can be heard live every Wednesday at 2:00 PM (Eastern Time, United States) on HANDRadio (https://handradio.org). After the live broadcast, the show can be listened to on HANDRadio’s Podcasts Page as well as updates of this post and the Media Pages of KUUMBAReport (https://kuumbareport.com), KUUMBAEvents (https://kuumbaevents.com) and the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (https://srdcinternational.org).