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[MUSIC PLAYING] EUAN KERR: It's not unusual for people to stop and stare in the Minneapolis sculpture garden. What is unusual is for them to be staring at a tall Black man wearing a yellow kilt and matching jacket, playing Hava Nagila on the bagpipes.

RUFUS HARLEY: When I play the bagpipes, I can feel my soul, spirit, and life all comes together.

EUAN KERR: Rufus Harley began playing saxophone when he was a boy. After years of practice, he became a professional musician. However, it was not until 1963 that he discovered what his true musical destiny would be.

RUFUS HARLEY: I was watching the burial services of President Kennedy. And it was the blackwatch bagpipe marching band, and the sound just stuck with me, you know. And I found myself-- it was just-- it's just that moment in time that sort of tattooed me, I guess.

EUAN KERR: The years that have followed have been a musical adventure. Harley has adapted everything from traditional songs to John Coltrane tunes for Jazz bagpipe.

RUFUS HARLEY: Like I play a tune called Moon River, Amazing Grace. And I do a Scotland the Brave. That's what a blues march rhythm, which went over very well in Scotland that's recorded. I recorded that in Paris.

I always play that. Wherever I'm going in any nightclubs or juice joints around the world, and we all be partying off of that one. You know what I mean?

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EUAN KERR: As well as growing as a musician, Rufus Harley says that his playing of the pipes has led to his philosophical and spiritual development, too. He says that while bagpipes are most commonly associated with Scotland and Ireland, they were common in ancient North African cultures.

RUFUS HARLEY: And at one time, man and musicians were in touch with the chordal elements of life. So they designed an instrument that would-- this is my theory-- that would duplicate the exact chordal nature and culture of our being.

EUAN KERR: Playing the pipes is even affected the way Rufus Harley dresses. The kilt has become his regular attire.

RUFUS HARLEY: I tried to wear a whole bunch of stuff down through the years. With the bagpipes, I tried to wear an African dashiki. I tried to wear a priest robe and investment robe. I tried to wear a hippie suit and stuff.

It doesn't go. The only way to get into bagpipes, you must wear a tartan, you know, because it keeps-- it just keeps it in character.

EUAN KERR: Harley carries his pipes with him at all times. And is often asked to play on the spur of the moment. On the plane into Minneapolis, he performed an impromptu concert at 30,000 feet. However, he says that his recent trip to Scotland, to perform at the Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, was the biggest thrill of all.

RUFUS HARLEY: Edinburgh, to me, was like making a pilgrimage for me, really of all sincereness. I mean, I never thought I would have to go to Edinburgh to make my pilgrimage. But Edinburgh for Rufus Harley, was it, you know.

EUAN KERR: Angus Lyon, a producer with BBC Radio Scotland in Edinburgh, confirms that Harley was a festival attraction.

ANGUS LYON: You know, of course, quite a lot of interest at the festival because I certainly don't know of any other jazz bagpipers.

EUAN KERR: Well, the new album recently recorded in Paris, France, Rufus Harley, the world's first and only jazz bagpiper, thinks he's on to something good.

RUFUS HARLEY: Hey, trust me. Believe me. The instrument is long overdue. And I'd like to thank the Scottish and the Irish folks for keeping it warm for me until I got back around to it.

EUAN KERR: In Minneapolis, I'm Euan Kerr.

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