Polly Harrison, San Antonio's Guitar Queen (June 21, 1949 – February 20, 2026)
Polly Harrison with Bucky Pizzarelli, Joseph Oldenhove de Guertechin and Stephane Grappelli, San Antonio TX 1992. Photo courtesy of Benedetto Guitars.
With deep sadness, on this week's show (February 28, 2026) we mark the passing of the immensely talented 7-string guitarist Polly Harrison, who died last week (February 20) on the gig, doing what she loved to do. Polly was a revered member of the San Antonio jazz community for many years, as a performer (she played with just about everybody) and as a mentor to up-and-comers and newcomers. She and drummer-singer Kyle Keener had a five-decade partnership as the Small World band, gigging everywhere and hosting a virtually unbroken series of yearslong welcoming jam sessions. Her work was multifaceted and genre-spanning; we lean into her bossa nova and Brazilian jazz playing here.
For more of Polly's story, read Bett Butler's interview for the San Antonio Current (August 1, 2002) and Jim Beal's interview for MySA (July 5, 2011). Be sure to check out this live broadcast of Small World with Texas Public Radio's Nathan Cone, live at Jazz, TX (September 14, 2018).
And here's Polly on a live take at the Boardwalk Bistro with trumpeter (and protégé) Curtis Calderon.
Polly's husband, bluegrass fiddler, mandolinist and music historian Hank Harrison, preceded her in death. Their careers were distinct, but they performed together on occasion. We leave you with a sweet taste of that union in the grainy but glorious video below. RIP. We miss you already.
Caminhos do Jazz with Katchie airs live on Saturday mornings at 10 Central.
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What's that catchy theme music for Caminhos do Jazz? Damas Grátis (Ladies Free) / 4:37 / 2007 / Eduardo Neves / Gafieira de Bolso / Eduardo Neves
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