About this Artist

The story of PIECES OF A DREAM is a tale of destiny and brotherhood. Picture three starry-eyed, fanatical teen musicians who manage to get discovered by Mister Magic (Grover Washington, Jr.), become teen sensations, and go on to join the pantheon of musical wonders from the “City of Brotherly Love.” Dubbed “the Steely Dan of Smooth Jazz” by allaboutjazz.com and heralded by the legendary Count Basie as “a tough act to follow,” Pieces of a Dream remain one of the most satisfying, exhilarating and sought-after bands in contemporary jazz. They have toured the world, sold over one million albums, and scored both smooth jazz and R&B radio hits along the way. In 2016, founding members James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon celebrated the milestone of their 40th anniversary, and their feet are still on the accelerator, as they power forward since the release of their 2017 CD, Just Funkin’ Around.

James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon have been the nucleus of Pieces of a Dream since its inception and played together as kids and members of the Ada Lewis Middle School jazz ensemble along with former member, bassist Cedric Napoleon. Danny Harmon, Curtis’ father and a jazz musician himself, became their manager and had the guys listening to the Modern Jazz Quartet, Ahmad Jamal, and Oscar Peterson, as they developed their unique sound, blending their jazz roots with R&B, soul, and funk.

Taking their name from the Stanley Turrentine song “Pieces of Dreams,” Pieces released three albums in quick succession, establishing its place in the world of smooth jazz: Pieces of a Dream (1981), We Are One (1982), and Imagine This (1983). Pieces of a Dream recorded their Shanachie debut, In the Moment, in 2013, followed by 2015’s All In. Curtis Harmon concludes, “I thought we were lucky to have made it to a silver anniversary but now it seems like 50 years is right around the corner, not trying to rush it. So, Pieces fans, thank you so much for all the love and support for the past 40 years, and now let’s go for the gold.”