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With so much music and so many musicians swirling around
Alan Harris while growing up, a career in music was virtually predetermined. His mother was a classical pianist and his aunt a classical singer who turned to the blues and was eventually produced by the famous
Clarence Williams, who was
Bessie Smith's producer and accompanist.
Harris studied both classical piano and classical guitar as a youngster. His family was part of the Harlem scene from the 1920's to the 1950's where his Aunt had a soul food restaurant on125th street near the Apollo Theater. At his family's eatery, he met many of the jazz greats as they came in after their gigs.
Louis Armstrong even baby sat him on one occasion. But it was after hearing
Sarah Vaughan at the Apollo that convinced him a jazz vocal career was his future. This influential environment and musical training have stood him well as he has developed into a fine male vocalist.
Harris moved with his family to Pittsburgh where he gigged with drummer
Roger Humphries. He has opened for
Tony Bennett, who provided early encouragement,
Dionne Warwick and
Melissa Manchester.
Harris has gigged with an impressive list of musicians including
Jon Hendricks,
Jon Faddis,
Clark Terry, and
Stevie Wonder. His albums - all for Germany's Mons Records - include Setting the Standard, Here Comes Alan Harris with
the Metropole Orchestra and
It's a Wonderful World where he joined with outstanding jazzers
Benny Green,
Mark Whitfield,
Ray Brown,
Jeff Hamilton and
Claudio Roditi for a memorable session.
Harris continues to visit the recording studios, and tour in the United States and Europe with several major projects planned for the new millennium. With a voice bearing elements of
Nat King Cole and
Sammy Davis, Jr, combined with a stylistic indebtedness to
Johnny Hartman and
Tony Bennett,
Harris' future as a major jazz singer continues to be bright. ~ Dave Nathan