![]() In addition to his performing career, he worked for the Philadelphia Housing Authority for many years. He also had a small role in Francis Ford Coppola's 1966 comedy film You're a Big Boy Now, as well as Eddie and the Cruisers (1983). 2000), I've Got a Secret (October 17, 1966), and The Arsenio Hall Show. He appeared on a number of television programs, including What's My Line?, To Tell the Truth (Ma and again c. ![]() During his frequent overseas performance tours, he carried and distributed miniature replicas of the Liberty Bell, the symbol of his hometown, as well as American flags and copies of the U.S. ![]() Harley lived for much of his life in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and frequently gave presentations in Philadelphia-area public schools. His bagpipe technique was somewhat unorthodox in that he placed the drones over his right shoulder rather than his left. After seeing him perform on television, a Scottish family gave him his tartan, the MacLeod tartan, which he wore for the rest of his life. Harley often wore Scottish garb, including a kilt, in conjunction with a Viking-style horned helmet. In addition to bagpipes, on these albums he also occasionally played tenor saxophone, flute, or electric soprano saxophone. He later recorded with Laurie Anderson (appearing on her 1982 album Big Science) and The Roots (on their 1995 album Do You Want More?!!!?!), the latter coming about due to a 1994 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. From 1965 to 1970 he released four recordings as leader on the Atlantic label (all produced by Joel Dorn, an early supporter), also recording as a sideman with Herbie Mann, Sonny Stitt, and Sonny Rollins in the 1960s and 1970s. Harley made his bagpipe performance debut in 1964. On several occasions, when a neighbor called the police to complain about Harley's practicing in his home, he would quickly put away his bagpipes and feign ignorance, asking the officers, "Do I look like I'm Irish or Scottish to you?" He eventually acquired a better set of bagpipes, which cost him a little over US$1,000. He purchased the instrument for US$120, quickly adapting it to the idioms of jazz, blues, and funk. Failing to find one, he traveled to New York City, where he found a set in a pawn shop. Then a maintenance worker for Philadelphia's housing authority, Harley began searching the city for a set of bagpipes. Kennedy's funeral procession in November 1963. Harley became inspired to learn the bagpipe after seeing the Black Watch perform in John F. At the age of 22, he began studying saxophone, flute, oboe, and clarinet with Dennis Sandole (1913–2000), an Italian American jazz guitarist who taught several jazz musicians in Philadelphia including John Coltrane, James Moody, Jim Hall, and Pat Martino. He began playing the C melody saxophone at age 12 and also played trumpet. A painting of Rufus Harley and Harley's son America PattonĪlthough born near Raleigh, North Carolina, at an early age Harley moved with his mother to a poor neighborhood in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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