Robert Harris

(http://www.robertharrismusic.com/)
Born in Detroit, MI, Robert Harris’s musical career started at 12 when he began studying trumpet in junior high school. Harris began playing guitar at 16, and was soon playing at coffee houses and lounges in the Detroit area. When he was 20, Harris joined a seven-piece R&B group as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, playing covers by Tower of Power, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, and other groups.
Leaving Detroit for Seattle, Harris toured the West Coast with a band called Vocal Point. He was soon joined by drummer and friend Steve Takahashi, who became Vocal Point’s drummer. Harris and Takahashi relocated to Los Angeles, where Harris formed a group to showcase his original compositions. Harris was quickly signed to West Records and his first CD, “I’m Coming Back” was slated for distribution through Qwest Records. But, as often happens in LA, the deal did not come to fruition.
Undaunted, Harris worked as a studio musician, performed at various venues in LA, and expanded his musical talents. Now also a producer and arranger - and the head engineer at the control panels – Harris produced several well received independent label projects. In 1985, Harris founded Fast Trak Recording Studios and spent the next five years honing his producing, arranging, and engineering skills. Harris sold FastTrak in 1991 and moved to Central Florida, stating, “I really enjoy the engineering side of the business, but not as much is I enjoy playing and writing music.” In between his own recording and performing schedule, Harris continues to produce an occasional independent project in his state-of-the-art digital recording studio.
Although mostly self-taught, for the last 25 years Harris has studied guitar through the National Guitar Workshop, including studying several Jazz curriculums in chord harmony, improvisation, and theory that were developed by Jody Fisher. Harris was fortunate to have had the opportunity to be tutored by George Peckam, one the worlds most renowned vocal instructors.
The Robert Harris Group is one of the premier Jazz / R&B groups in central Florida. In addition to their regular club dates, they have performed at the New Smryna Jazz Festival, the Winter Park Art Festival, The Seminole Jazz Series, and the Kissimmee Jazz Festivals, and recently The Daytona Jazz Festival where they opened for Walter Beasley, Spyro Gyra, and Jean-Luc Ponty. This year Robert opened for Mindi Abair at the Art and Music Festival at Lake Eola in Orlando, and Richard Elliot at the Winter Park Art Festival.
They are currently scheduled for several national festivals next year. ie: Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Berks Jazz Fest, Atlanta Jazz Festival, and more. The Robert Harris group has been asked back to perform at several concert events hosted by Orlando’s premiere smooth jazz station WLOQ 103.1, and Tampa Bays WSJT, and WGRV the Groove Florida’s east coast station. .
A few years ago Robert had the privilege of playing with Kirk Whalum and Warren Hill’s band on Warren Hills smooth jazz cruise. You can also see Robert playing an acoustic duet with Peter White @ roberharrismusic.com photo page.
Robert’s debut CD “Cool Breeze” was featured on smoothjazz.com for several months and as a result was picked up by several radio stations around the world. Robert recently released his 2nd smooth jazz CD “City Light” which has been well received by his fans, and selling well at live events. One of his songs “Monaco” is scheduled to releases nationally on the radio this summer.