Niki Haris
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Niki Haris (from Benton Harbor, Michigan) is a singer, dancer, and backing vocalist. She is the daughter of Grammy nominated jazz artist Gene Harris. She was born in 1963. 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 who’s who of the music world.
She has collaborated artistically with many artists including, Michelle Branch, All Saints, Whitney Houston, Kylie Minogue, Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Mick Jagger, Julian Lennon, LeAnn Rimes, Luther Vandross, Jessica Simpson, The Pussycat Dolls, Santana, The Righteous Brothers, Rufus, Enrique Iglesias,and Madonna.
Her vocal film work is also featured on the soundtracks of Whoopi Goldberg’s “Corrina, Corrina”, DreamWorks “The Big Green”, “Coyote Ugly” with Leann Rimes, and Disney’s “Anastasia”. She has also recorded multiple television themes as well as co-writing and performing 2 new songs for the Fox series “Dark Angel”.
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 “Basic Instinct” as well as choreographing for the television series “Melrose Place”. Lead appearances in Madonna’s “Truth or Dare” and featured artist on the HBO special “Sandra After Dark” as well a roles in Al Pacino & Robert Deniro’s “Heat” 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, “Down Home Blues” and their inspirational CD “In His Hands”. After her father’s untimely passing in January and the release of their live CD, “Jazz Alley Cats”, Niki resumes her love of jazz and carries on her father’s legacy.
Haris is a longtime friend and backing vocalist for Madonna and began working with Madonna in her Who's That Girl Tour. She appeared in the movie Truth or Dare, a documentary of backstage and onstage footage recorded on the tour. She also acted in a couple of Madonna videos including "Vogue" and "Music".
Forming a couple with Donna DeLory (who is also a back up singer for Madonna), Haris participated in various Madonna tours including Who's That Girl Tour (1987), Blond Ambition Tour (1990), The Girlie Show Tour (1993) and The Drowned World Tour (2001).
During The Re-Invention Tour (2004) Haris was replaced with Siedah Garrett. The official word from Haris is that she [would like to focus on her solo career and family.] Niki had a daughter in 2003, Jordan Ann. Haris was absent also from the Madonna's record-breaking Confessions Tour. In 2004 Niki did some kiss-and-telling about her former boss' love life by sharing less-than-enthusiastic opinions on aspects of Madonna's personal life and career. The clip can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_wwxdnA-44
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. 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.
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[edit] Selected lead vocal credits
- Let Me Hear The Music (Niki's newest single from 2006 produced by L.E.X.(DJ Eddie X & Luigi Gonzalez for 3 Monkeys Productions)
- The One (2002 co-written song from Dark Angel Soundtrack)
- What's It Gonna Be (early 1990s #1 dance club chart hit) produced by John Jellybean Benitez.
- Total Love (hit single in Italy and Germany 2000-01)
- Do You See The Light? (early 1990s hit performed with Snap!, re-released and remixed for European market 2002)
- Exterminate (early 1990s hit performed with Snap!)
- There's No Business Like Show Business (during credits of Noises Off...)
- Do Anything by Natural Selection featuring Niki Haris (1991 Top 10 Pop Song hit)
[edit] Selected backing vocalist work for/with Madonna
- Madonna Live World Tours, 1987 Who's That Girl, 1990 Blond Ambition, 1993 Girlie Show and 2001 Drowned World.
- Madonna Music Albums, Like A Prayer, The Immaculate Collection, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Something To Remember, Ray Of Light.
- Various Live performances with Madonna (including MTV Music Awards, Grammy Awards, EMA Awards and TV shows)
[edit] Albums and Singles
- Live In Switzerland (jazz)
- Niki Haris Live (jazz)
- Niki Haris and Friends (jazz)
- The Beginning (gospel)
- Exterminate (Snap! feat. Niki Haris) (eurodance)
- Do you see the light (looking for) (Snap! feat. Niki Haris) (eurodance)
[edit] Films and Commercials
- Visa commerical (2007 Niki stars and sings the classic hit "Downtown")
- "Heat" (1995 Michael Mann action/drama film with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro
