- 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.
- After seeing him perform on television, a Scottish family gave him their tartan, the McLeod tartan, which he wore for the rest of his life.
- Whenever a neighbor called the police to complain about his practicing in his apartment, he would put away his bagpipes and ask the officer, "Do I look like I'm Scottish to you?"
- Adapted the bagpipes to jazz, blues, funk and other typically African-American music styles, while still paying tribute to the instrument's Scottish roots.
- Made his bagpipe debut in 1964.
- Was of mixed Cherokee and African-American descent.
- Survived by 16 children and 15 grandchildren.
- Inspired to learn to play the bagpipes after seeing the Black Watch's performance at the 1963 funeral of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
- He liked to promote Philadelphia by giving away miniature Liberty Bells and copies of the US Constitution.
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