[With this project] I wanted to challenge myself compositionally and try to use extended forms and some new techniques (for me) without sacrificing spontaneity, a tricky balance.

Holy Abyss is a collaborative effort between guitarist/ composer Joel Harrison and bassist Lorenzo Feliciati. Joining them is Cuong Vu (contributing two compositions) on trumpet, Roy Powell on keyboards, and Dan Weiss on drums.

STRING CHOIR: The MUSIC OF PAUL MOTIAN includes string quartet and two guitars, featuring (string quartet) Chris Howes, Sam Bardfeld, Mat Maneri, Dana Leong, (guitars) Liberty Ellman and Joel Harrison.

Solos and duos for cello and violin featuring Wendy Sutter and Tim Fain. Joel Harrison's first CD of all non-improvised music.

A wildly diverse improviser/composer/arranger with a penchant for unorthodox instrumental combinations, guitarist Joel Harrison has sustained one of the most unpredictable discographies of the last decade with his chimerical mix of jazz, blues, chamber music, African and Indian folk music, Appalachian tunes and old school country songs.

A six movement suite for string quartet and jazz quintet. A true union of the jazz and classical music traditions, with compositional influences from Appalachia and West Africa.

All new songs. “Harrison is onto something both innovative and compelling and deserves a much wider audience.” - Don Heckman, LA Times

Guitarist Joel Harrison released Harbor on Highnote in April 2007. This recording was commissioned by the French American Jazz Exchange and Chamber Music America and includes French/Vietnamese guitarist Nguyên Lê, and saxophonist David Binney.

This project is a singularly original journey into the music of George Harrison. Joel reinvents George's songs, with stunning improvisational, textural, harmonic, and rhythmic twists.

Once again Harrison and Free Country II travel along the seams of Jazz, Country, Blues, and Spirituals, using country classics, hymns, and folk tunes as a gateway to creative music making. Harrison has included his own compositions on this release, side by side with gems by Merle Haggard, Jimmy Webb, the Stanley Brothers, as well as timeless traditional tunes. Featuring Dave Binney.

Free Country is a collection of old Country and Appalachian tunes arranged in unusual, even radical, ways. Simply put, this body of work is my sonic view of the experiment known as America -- not the billboard, but the underbelly. Featuring Norah Jones and Uri Caine.

Joel Harrison's ensemble shows off it's vitality and edgy expressionist sound here, featuring bassoonist Paul Hanson and pianist Jeff Chimenti (keyboardist for Bob Weir and The Dead).

Blurs the lines between the historical categories of jazz... Intense, moody stuff that will lose jazz lovers lacking at least a decade of refining. -- Dave McElfresh: Jazz Now.

A colorful, multi-textured jazz blend, layered with elements of rock, world music, avant-garde and new classical music. Band members ramrod and muse, bash and romance, grate and croon. -- Dan Oullete: Downbeat.

Native Lands is a collection of ethnic folk songs from around the world ­ arranged, performed and recorded largely with indigenous instruments and some modern aesthetics. Innovative arrangements from the traditional music of Tibet, India, Bulgaria, China, Bali, and Western Africa, and, original compositions inspired by the idioms of these lands.

by Joel Harrison

by Joel Harrison

by Joel Harrison

Full length score created for a Jazz Septet

Article and Lead Sheet from the Jazz School Woodshed | Pro Session by Joel Harrison - excerpt from the article: "There was a time when many people considered jazz and classical music to be irreconcilable foes. The truth is, both these traditions have always had much to offer each other. Early jazz absorbed the harmonies..."

Full length score created for a Solo Marimba

Full length score created for a Solo Cello

Full length score for Violin and Cello

Full length score for Solo Violin
Mvt 1: Lonesome Valley | Mvt. 2: August Winds, Desolation Peak

American Composers Forum Article from the 1st Quarter of 2012 - excerpt from the article: "Brooklyn composer Joel Harrison was the recipient of a 2010 JFund grant from ACF for his “Still Point: Turning World” project. For a complete list of JCCP/JFund grant recipients from 1979 to the present, visit..."

10 Days with the Art Ensemble of Chicago article by Joel Harrison from The Insider - excerpt from the article: "In 1979, I attended a 10-day workshop with the Art Ensemble of Chicago at Karl and Ingrid Berger's Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, NY. It was one of the most remarkable..."