Harvi Alonzo Griffin

Great guy, my brother. We entered the Army together and went through Basic Training together at Fort Knox. We met again in 1991 after I had retired from the military and was a HS Biology Teacher. He visited me and my students at Batesburg/Leesville HS in Batesburg/Leesville, South Carolina. Great person. I was 17years old and had just finished Cass Tech Hs. I was also acquainted with some of his Motown friends. I grew up with Lamont Doziers brother in the Jeffries Projects and also knew Eddie...

Dear Lee,
I just learned today that Harvi has gone to play the harp with the angels. I met Harvi almost 30 years ago when he played in Marquette. He became a dear friend and he would come to visit my home whenever he was in Marquette. I remember how he had a carrot right out of my garden and it was the first time he ever pulled one out of the ground. He was so excited. That is what I always loved about Harvi...so sophisticated, but yet so humble. We met up in Omaha one summer and...

Dear Uncle Lee,

Regretfully I did not spend much time with Harvi, but in the time that I did he touched my life in one way or another with each of them. After hearing people speak at his service yesterday and seeing the difference in you as an Uncle, a Father, and a man, I understand more now that he was a remarkable person and how blessed you were to have him as a part of your life for the time that you did. There are no words at a time like this, so I will not try to say any......

Harvi Griffin: harpist and singer extraordinaire; friend; confidante; teacher; role model; composer/arranger; and the "Wind Beneath My Wings." With love.

Sorry it took me so long to write Lee, my thoughts are still hard to put to paper. I still remember the first time I heard Harvi play...and there was no other harpist in the world after that! It changed my life! How very, very fortunate I was to be able to study with Harvi. I say study, but it was more life lessons than harp lessons. He was my teacher, but my friend first. I couldn't believe my luck that he would make me think I had talent! And even get some of it to come out! There is...

When I saw that there was a guest book I had to stop and think of what I wanted to say about my dear friend. I knew Harvi for twenty-seven years. We meet at a time and point of my life when I was just starting to formulate my own opinions and perspectives of the world. Now looking back over the years I see that many of the core beliefs I hold dear were first formed from the conversations and discussions Harvi and I enjoyed. Harvi and I enjoyed the unique friendship that time and distance...

It is with the best of memories that I think of the visit of Harvi and Lee to Haarlem a few years ago, for workshops and concerts for students of our musicschool. Harvi was a fine musician and a wonderful human being.

Dear Lee Barr,

During his workshops in Holland and France, he treated everybody equally. Although he is very good on harp and played so wonderfull, he never gave you the feeling that you were worthless. He was one of the best teachers I ever known. He tought me one more important thing: Have fun when you are playing, enjoy what you are doing and smile!

With love Annelies Kole

HARVI WAS A GREAT FRIEND OF MY SONS.I NEVER MET HIM OTHER THAN ON THE PHONE, HE WAS ALWAYS SUCH A GENTLEMAN