Jazz pianist, arranger, and composer Lafayette Harris Jr. is among the most respected pianists on the scene today. Always displaying elegant phrasing, a passionate flair, extensive knowledge of the jazz tradition, classic pop repertoire, and an intimate familiarity with soul and funk. Harris possesses an extreme rhythmic vitality coupled with considerable harmonic depth.

Known as a "go to" pianist by many musicians and bandleaders, Harris was born in Philadelphia & raised in Baltimore, MD. He currently performs and records with Houston Person, Archie Shepp, and with his own bands. He toured with the late great music pioneer Max Roach, performed with the Duke Ellington Legacy Orchestra, and has recorded and toured with four-time Grammy nominee - the late, Ms. Ernestine Anderson. His newest album, "Swingin' Up in Harlem" (Savant, 2023) features veteran musicians, Peter Washington, on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. “Swingin” peaked at No. 4 on the JazzWeek radio chart. Harris is currently on track to release his 11th album as a leader in Spring 2024.