Proficient on the oboe and the saxophone, Rufus Harley is best known as
the only jazz bagpiper in the known world to date (2006); he has played
with John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Laurie Anderson and The
Roots.
He had 16 children and 15 grandchildren.
Performed frequently with one of his sons, Messiah Patton Harley, a
jazz trumpeter.
Lived most much of his life in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Frequently gave music presentations in Philadelphia-area public
schools.