Singer-pianist-songwriter Marilyn Harris boasts an enviable jazz pedigree; after studying composition with Hale Smith at UConn and film scoring with Ray Wright and Manny Albam at Eastman School of Music, Marilyn worked extensively with arranger Gil Evans and studied piano with Richard Tee and Rodgers Grant. Her talents have graced not only her own recordings, but a wide variety of other artists' work including co-writing a gold record with Jim Brickman, doing arrangements for Bette Midler and having her songs covered by other vocalists, as listed on her MUSIC page.
Marilyn was born in Syracuse, NY and grew up in Hartford, CT. After graduating from UConn, she worked as a music editor and copyist in New York City, while pitching her original songs to publishers and other artists. Working in advertising music, she sang, arranged and produced music for commercials (Amoco, McDonald's, Kraft, Kellogg's, United Airlines, etc.) in New York and Chicago. While living in Los Angeles, she composed, performed and produced over 200 music cues for ABC-TV's "General Hospital" and created original scores for radio dramas, theatrical plays and audio books. Marilyn has original songs in the off-Broadway musical PLAY IT COOL, the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of "My Sister's Keeper", Sesame Street, E-TV's Holly's World and the award-winning short feature film "T for Terrorist".
Marilyn’s first CD "Between the Lines" (WRCD-1508) features world-renowned musicians such as percussionist & drummer Mark Walker, guitarist Georg Wadenius, bassist Steve Rodby, jazz trumpeters Orbert Davis, Bobby Lewis and Ron Friedman, and saxophonists Steve Eisen, Mike Smith and Ron Kolber. In 1998 Marilyn joined Philip Ingram in the vocal duet of her song "Like Love" on BMG's release of Jim Brickman's "Visions of Love".
"Future Street" (WRCD-1580) features wonderful instrumental solos by Wayne Bergeron, Warren Luening, Pete Christlieb, Dan Higgins, Bill Liston, Andy Martin, Bob Leatherbarrow, as well as a vocal duet with co-songwriting partner Mark Winkler. Liner notes were by jazz songwriting legend Bob Dorough.
"Round Trip" (WRCD-1569) features the L. A. Jazz All-Stars Big Band led by producer/arranger Mark Wolfram and wonderful instrumental solos by Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Jim Fox, Dan Higgins, Warren Luening, Andy Martin, Don Shelton, as well as a special vocal duet with Bob Dorough. Liner notes were by jazz DJ and journalist Neil Tesser.
Marilyn's latest full-length CD release is "Orphans" (WRCD-1595) - a collection of original songs of various genres. Arranged, produced, recorded and mixed by Mark Wolfram, the CD features vocal duets with Mark Winkler and Phillip Ingram, and instrumental solos by Dan Higgins, Steve Carnelli, P.J. Hanke and Kelland Thomas. Marilyn and Mark Winkler have a video of "Countries In Love" and Marilyn also has a video of "New York, New Haven & Hartford" - you can see them both on Marilyn's Videos page.
In addition to writing songs, Marilyn collaborates on creating meditation/relaxation music; "Koto Keys" (WRCD-1516) & "A Koto Keys Christmas" (WRCD-1525) with kotoist Mara Purl, "Winds on Ivory" (WRCD-1521) with exotic woodwind specialist Phil Feather, "Unicorn's Journey” (WRCD-1530) with harpist Stephanie Bennett, "American Journeys" (WRCD-1514) with guitarist Sandy Carter, and "Safe Harbor" (WRCD-1517) with synthesist Mark Wolfram and percussionist Homero Cerón.
Over her long career Marilyn has given active service to many music industry organizations (Board of Governors at N.A.R.A.S., S.G.A., Executive Board at L.A.W.I.M.), as well as performing musicology analysis and clearance for various clients in the legal, entertainment and advertising fields. Marilyn was active in IAJE and her live performances include appearances at Birdland, Danny's Skylight Room, Don't Tell Mama and Cornelia St. Cafe in NYC, Davenport’s in Chicago, the Tucson Jazz Society, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Las Vegas Jazz Society, and The Jazz Bakery, Spazio, The Gardenia, and Catalina Bar & Grill in Los Angeles.
TOP
