Chiz Harris

Christopher · September-13th-2005, 12:45 PM

Wondering if any one out there can help with a little info about the great jazz drummer Chiz Harris. He played with Jerry Lewis and all over southern California over the last 50 years. I heard a rumor that he just passed away and hoping someone can confirm or deny that, maybe a little recent news about him would be great also. Thanks!

Lois Gilbert · September-14th-2005, 07:15 PM

Please help Christopher - if you have info. I googled for him about Chiz, but found nothing of his passing, and suggested he post here.

clinthopson · September-15th-2005, 11:30 AM

Chiz had band that played for years in the Newport Beach area.

I'll ask around.

Eric Marienthal may know something, he played with Chiz.

graypencil · September-15th-2005, 02:06 PM

I've sent out a query to a few LA guys to see what they've heard about Chiz ..

( BTW: Chiz preceded me by about a year on the Si Zentner band back in the 60s ..before Bob Gibson and Eddie Cacavelli, I think ..sorry for the "gig dropping" )

graypencil · September-15th-2005, 09:34 PM

Well: unfortunately ..

Heres what I got back from a west coast guy who knew him ( warts and all ):

>>I think I heard sometime back that Chiz had passed. I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's true. I played Vegas a couple of times in 1965, and then I got the job for Chiz. He stayed on that gig for 25 or more years. Last time I saw him was at Monty Budwig's house when Monty had died and Arlette had a wake at their place. Chiz was really fucked up on toot, and we had trouble getting him and a couple of other guys to leave so she could go to bed. He was a nice cat.

CB <<

this isn't definitive, but for what it's worth ...

clinthopson · September-16th-2005, 12:02 PM

I emailed Terence Love, owner of Steamers and asked him to check around.

graypencil · September-18th-2005, 01:31 PM

Just got this from Pete Christleib:

>>
He Died last week and I think he was fighting Cancer.

RIP: Chiz.

Christopher · September-19th-2005, 10:21 PM

I want to thank everyone for checking into my inquery. I did get a confirmation from Lou Ciotti that Chiz did pass away on September 1st. I hope everyone sends a prayer out for him, he was a great talent that should be remembered for a long time. We're still waiting on word of a memorial service for him somewhere in the LA area as his ashes where flown back to PA where was born. Thanks Again!!!