Paul Jeffrey (probably; Barry says “Paul Jeffries”)

saxophone, copyist

Saxophonist, most likely Paul Jeffrey (Barry says “Paul Jeffries”), whom Barry remembers as the fast copyist sitting beside him while he wrote his first string arrangements for a concert in Detroit.

mentions: 3
recordings: 3
Barry speaking: 1

What Barry says

Days before a concert in Detroit with ten members of the Detroit Symphony, the band found that Ernie Wilkins, who had written the music for the Billie Holiday album Charles McPherson had made and they were to play, was in Europe with all of it. Barry decided to write the string parts himself and got Paul Jeffries, a good, fast copyist, to sit beside him.

Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program ¶313

Barry wrote ten arrangements that way, finishing the last one on the plane to Detroit. He had never written for strings before, and was delighted when a woman in the orchestra told them she had never played more beautiful music.

Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program ¶313Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program ¶314

Telling the same story in a Jazz at Lincoln Center class, Barry does not name his helper: he says only that someone sat beside him copying each piece as he finished writing it.

Jazz theory, part 4: borrowing diminished notes2:15 2:48

In his own words

So I got Paul Jeffries, he could copy good, fast. He was sitting beside me and I started writing for strings.

Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program. Smithsonian oral history, on writing his first string arrangements ¶313

So I had to write these pieces out real quick. I had a fella sitting here copying it as I wrote it out.

Jazz theory, part 4: borrowing diminished notes, New York City. Jazz at Lincoln Center class, the copyist left unnamed 2:48 Watch on YouTube at 2:48

Every mention

3 moments in the recordings, 1 of them Barry speaking. Each says who is talking.

Jazz theory, part 4: borrowing diminished notes

New York City

2:48
Barry
An unnamed fellow sat copying each string piece as Barry wrote it for the Detroit concert.
Watch on YouTube at 2:48

The Spirit of Bebop

USA, 1999

33:30
Speaker unclear
A “Paul Jeffries” is named, without explanation, in the story of a Carnegie Hall Monk concert with strings.
Watch on YouTube at 33:30

Barry Harris: The Spirit of Bebop - Trailer

USA, 1999

0:33
Speaker unclear
The same name, cut off as “Paul Jeff” in its captions, in the trailer’s version of the Carnegie Hall Monk concert story.
Watch on YouTube at 0:33

In the interviews and notes

Barry, Smithsonian oral history 2010 Barry, in his own words
With Ernie Wilkins and his music stuck in Europe days before a Detroit concert with ten symphony string players, Barry wrote ten string arrangements himself, with Paul Jeffries beside him copying the parts, the last one finished on the plane.
Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program ¶313
Barry, Smithsonian oral history 2010 Barry, in his own words
Barry says that first try at writing for strings gave him the confidence to put on his own concert with ten singers, ten strings and four guest soloists, which grew into much larger shows with a big band and many more singers.
Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program ¶312Barry Harris, Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program ¶314

Method ideas nearby

Ideas of the method taught in the classes where they come up, with how many mentions fall in each.