Bob Reynolds: Eddie Told Me So

NOSAHU RECORDS (RELEASED FEBRUARY 20, 2026)

Saxophonist Bob Reynolds never got a chance to hear Eddie Harris live, but after listening to Harris’ rendition of “When a Man Loves a Woman,” he was hooked. He shares his enthusiasm for Harris on Eddie Told Me So, but don’t expect to hear renditions of the tunes Harris was famous for such as “Exodus,” “Freedom Jazz Dance,” “Cold Duck Time” and “Listen Here,”. Accompanied by Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Mike Gurrola on bass and Charles Ruggerio on drums, Reynolds delivers a set of tunes Harris never recorded (with the exception of one), doing them in the classic soulful style for which Harris was known. Like Harris, Eddie Told Me So covers a lot of musical ground. Reynolds’ “Harrisburg” captures Harris’ signature funky blues groove. Gurrola’s chording introduces Reynold’s soulful rendition of “When Your Lover Has Gone.” Ruggerio’s introduction to Irving Berlin’s “Change Partners” establishes a Latin feel for this standard that is perfect for Reynolds to emulate Harris’ lyricism. The three-minute sax/bass/drum romp through “Just Friends’ is the only tune on the session that Harris actually recorded (released as a 7” vinyl in 1962). The title track, written by Reynolds, is a tip of the hat to Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance,” energized with Gurrola’s funky rhythms and Reynolds’ blisyering solo. Reynolds chose the theme from Charade to honor Harris’s classic version of another move theme – Exodus. The set ends with a 1950’s sounding soulful version of “You Don’t Know What Love Is.” Had Harris ever recorded in a quartet with guitar, bass and drums (which I don’t think he ever did) it would have sounded like Eddie Told Me So — soulful, bluesy and played with ease and elegance, all thanks to the support and solos of Renfroe, Gurrola and Ruggerio. Kudos to Reynolds for going beyond merely covering Eddie Harris’s classic tunes and creating a program that reminds us of Harris’ ability to bridge the gap between jazz, rhythm and blues and funk with his infectious and individual sound. Fans of Eddie Harris will want to, pardon the pun, listen here!

BOTTOM LINE: Musically, saxophonist Eddie Harris covered a lot of ground. In his newest release saxophonist Bob Reynolds pays tribute to Harris’ music (particularly his pre The Electrifying Eddie Harris album. Rather than doing covers of the tunes Harris was famous for, Reynolds and his quartet perform nine tunes in a style and feel reminiscent of Harris.