| Synopsis
PIPES OF PEACE is a multifaceted intimate portrait of Rufus Harley's music, spirit and philosophy... a man who ignores conventional musical genres.
Director-producer, George Manney, came up with the films DIY style to correlate with recent Rufus productions that the artist would release and sell on the street to fans. Manney said, "When I met Rufus, he handed me a home-made CD that would have a photo scan of an image & then a hand written message on the outer CD paper cover. It was in his DIY style to get his message out to the people, that I then took the same approach and made the film. I had no money but wanted his message and music to stand the test of time".
Rufus was born in North Carolina in 1936 and raised in Philadelphia since the age of four. Harley was a music student of Dennis Sandole for twenty-five years, Sandole acted as teacher and mentor to John Coltrane.
In the history of the jazz landscape you will find eccentric geniuses who create music to a different drum... and Rufus Harley is such an individual. To put it simply, there was no one like him and there has been no one remotely like him since his passing.
PIPES OF PEACE interweaves a rare intimate interview with Rufus Harley in his home along with insights and memories from family members, friends and many great musicians.
We explore his struggle, success, philosophy, and his influential jazz bagpipe playing in his community, the nation and throughout the world. Rufus often handed out miniatures of the Liberty Bell & copies of the U.S. Constitution during his tours abroad. Harley's message of sustaining peace for all cultures is as relevant today as his message was in the 60's and 70's.
The word bagpipe conjures up visions of Scots & Irishmen marching to the shrill wail of this oddly shaped instrument... but in the hands of Rufus Harley the bagpipes took on a new and exciting musical journey into jazz and beyond.
Harley crossed over into the rock-pop and hip-hop community guesting on diverse recordings with Laurie Anderson and The Roots.
Rufus was also featured in the most recent concert events, B.L.A.S.T. - the Brotherly Love All-Star Tour shows at Philadelphia's TLA (South St.) and at the World Cafe Live in 2004 and 2005.
He released his final recording "Sustain" in 2005. In 2006, Rhino released a 'limited edition' CD titled: "Courage: The Atlantic Recordings" and Transparency re-issued his recording "Re-Creation Of The Gods" to critical acclaim.
|
