Niki Haris, daughter of Grammy nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, grew up
in Middle America, Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was college educated in
Southern California. Niki then pursued her singing career in the usual
amusement parks and clubs in the California area. This dynamic woman has
since gone on to work with a multitude of recording artist ranging from Pop,
R&B, to Jazz. Her live performances and recording experience reads like a
who¹s who of the music world. With names such as; Ray Charles, David
Sanborn, Patrice Rushen, Michael Sembello, Leann Rimes, Michelle Branch,
Santana, Kylie Minogue, Luther Vandross, All Saints, Wilton Felder of the
Jazz Crusaders, Stanley Turrentine, the Righteous Bros., Julian Lennon,
Anita Baker, Mick Jagger, Whitney Houston and Madonna.
Her vocal film work is also featured on the soundtracks of Whoopi Goldberg¹s
³Corrina Corrina², DreamWorks ³The Big Green², ³Coyote Ugly² with Leann
Rimes, and Disney¹s ³Anastasia². She has also recorded multiple television
themes as well as co-writing and performing 2 new songs for the Fox series
³Dark Angel².
Although her career has focused on singing and dancing, choreography and
acting are also a part of her immense career. After choreographing the MTV
Awards for Madonna, Niki helped stage scenes for Sharon Stone in ³Basic
Instinct² as well as choreographing for the television series ³Melrose
Place². Lead appearances in Madonna¹s ³Truth or Dare² and featured artist on
the HBO special ³Sandra After Dark² as well a roles in Al Pacino & Robert
Deniro¹s ³Heat² have led to public awareness and a desire to strengthen her
acting career. Niki continued to strengthen her singing career while touring
with her father and promoting their albums, ³Down Home Blues² and their
inspirational CD ³In His Hands². After her father¹s untimely passing in
January and the release of their live CD, ³Jazz Alley Cats², Niki resumes
her love of jazz and carries on her father¹s legacy.
This talented artist leaves no stone unturned, and with 18 years of
recording & touring with Madonna, Niki was once again called on the road for
her ³Drowned World Tour 2002² as well as being featured in her Grammy
nominated music video ³Music². All this while promoting her own tour and
smash single, ³Dancefloor² remixed by DJ/Producer Junior Vasquez.
After completing 2 tours back to back Niki quickly went into the studio to
record a new dance CD ³Total Love² as well as a new live jazz CD ³Live in
Switzerland² and a live gospel record ³The Beginning² recorded with John
Barnes at Innersound Studios; all released in the summer of 2003. With the
birth of her beautiful baby girl, Jordan, Niki¹s life took a dramatic
change. She continued to record and created new avenues to show her many
diverse musical colors. She recorded a new Jazz CD ³Live in London², Toured
Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Scotland) with her Jazz Quartet, and performed
live dates as Featured Vocalist with RUFUS (who¹s former feature vocalist
was Chaka Khan). She released ³Special Edition² through Thump
Records/Universal as well as a Billboard charting dance hit ³Let Me Hear The
Music² produced by DJ Eddie X through 3 Monkeys Music. She continued her
love of jazz by touring successfully in the production of Billie & Me, a
celebration of the life of Billie Holiday. Here Niki sang along side Nancy
Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Rita Coolidge, Joan Osborne, and African songstress
Rokia Traore. Her Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center performances were a
smashing success. While touring, Niki released her latest ³Live at Agape²
and performed gospel concerts throughout the U.S. She continues to be a
favorite in Dance Clubs & Pride festivals around the World. In Music Niki
Haris is known as a renaissance woman and in life. In 2007 Niki continued to
expand her reach by being the Voice and face of the international Visa
campaign ³Downtown². her recording schedule continues with her vocal and
vocal arrangement talents being lent to Queen Latifah aka Dana Owens Jazz
project, Santana & Tina Turner ³A Little Bit Of This² as well as something
for her younger audience, recording for Dream Works the ³Brats² movie and
Geffens the ³PussyCat Dolls².
Niki continues to share her gifts throughout the years by performing at a
multitude of benefits for AIDS, Cancer research as well as Camp Harmony for
inner city children. Niki continues to be called upon to lend her
inspirational voice by notable speakers such as Mark Victor Hansen ³Chicken
soup for the Soul² & Reverend Michael Beckwith (The Secret) She is also a
strong supporter for the Music in the Classroom program and RAAD, Rockers
Against Drunk Driving. She diligently lends her time in serving and is an
annual participant in the Season for Non Violence.
With all this, Niki has concentrated on her songwriting as well as pursuing
acting and singing and continues to be a focused and dedicated, multi
talented artist.