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Jeanette Harris
Jeanette Harris was born and raised in California’s post-Gold Rush town of Fresno, smack in the center of San Joaquin Valley. Reared by her mother Annette Harris and her church organist father Floyd Harris – both of deep spiritual faith and intense believers in the art of music - Jeanette and her older brother Michael Harris received their loves of God, family and each other honest.
“When I was 5, my father put a guitar in my hands,” Jeanette begins. “A year later he switched me to piano with a private teacher. I didn’t like it. Reading treble and bass clefs was so overwhelming I would cry but it did give me a great jumpstart. One day while driving me to 4th grade, Mom was playing a cassette by Grover Washington, Jr. I remember looking at the picture of his alto sax. It was beautiful and Grover made it look so hip. I felt it would be the perfect instrument for me.”
Jeanette played saxophone and piano from grade school to high school where band teacher Steve Alcala had her playing both in the Fresno City College Jazz Band before she even graduated. She won numerous awards and accolades which led to her scholarship to attend Berklee in Boston where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance. Back in Fresno, Jeanette self-recorded her first CD, Here and There, grabbed brother Michael on drums and bassist Patrick Olvera, and started developing a following by regularly packing Mike’s Pub & Pizzeria. She recorded her official debut Reflections and later Smooth Holiday Greetings on her family’s J&M Records (Jeanette & Michael’s initials, Mom and Dad’s funds). Citing her influences, Jeanette continues, “(Saxophonist) Richard Elliott brought some serious R&B GROOVE at a time when smooth jazz really needed more of that funk vibe…especially his song ‘Corner Pocket.’ I just loved his production! As a composer, Stevie Wonder’s music touches the hearts of people with lyrics that have strong meanings, and beautiful chords and melodies. And (guitarist) Norman Brown is the one that inspired me to want to be a performer when my parents took me to see him for my very first concert at The Bastille in Hanford, CA. He gave me chills!” After crossing paths with Brown on the road, Jeanette co-wrote a song with him that became the title track of her fourth CD, Saxified. Brown recorded the song on his CD, 24/7 with a different title, “The Best is Yet to Come” featuring Gerald Albright. “To have Gerald playing a melody that I wrote is so amazing,” Jeanette shares. Jeanette Harris has played major events from The Coombs River Bend Ranch Festival to festivals in Japan and London. She has performed as a side musician with Howard Hewett and Deniece Williams. She has also opened shows for greats ranging from smooth jazz stars Kirk Whalum, Najee and The Rippingtons to R&B stars Babyface, Phil Perry and KEM. “I got a standing ovation opening for KEM,” Jeanette beams. “He came out to meet me and get my CD. His people said he NEVER does that! That let me know my music does crossover.”
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April Showers Bring "Summer Rain"
![April Showers Bring "Summer Rain"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b23af4bb4b076259b2b27de5410312b5.jpg)
Source:
Great Scott P.R.oductions
Saxophonist Jeanette Harris’ fourth album warmly received by radio programmers and reviewers Fresno, CA: Spring has just sprung yet “Summer Rain” has arrived. The soulful urban-jazz album written and produced by saxwoman Jeanette Harris was released today by J&M Records and is winning new fans through growing radio airplay, including Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and enthusiastic reviews. With a fast-filling concert calendar, the “Rain” will be flowing spring, summer and fall as Harris has gigs booked April through October’s Catalina ...
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Storm Alert: Saxtress Jeanette Harris’ Soul-Splashed “Summer Rain” To Hit April 2nd
![Storm Alert: Saxtress Jeanette Harris’ Soul-Splashed “Summer Rain” To Hit April 2nd](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/b23af4bb4b076259b2b27de5410312b5.jpg)
Source:
Great Scott P.R.oductions
Storm Alert: saxtress Jeanette Harris’ soul-splashed “Summer Rain” to hit April 2nd “Just Keep Holding On” goes to radio while a “Summer Rain” perfume permeates the horizon Fresno, CA: The way Jeanette Harris sees it, summer rain is sensual, an ideal backdrop for love at first sight. Oozing saxuality, she wrote and produced her fourth album, “Summer Rain,” as the soul-jazz soundtrack for romance. To enhance the experience, she created a “Summer Rain” perfume that will be available soon after ...
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Primary Instrument
Saxophone, alto
Location
Fresno
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
I've been a private teacher for 7 years.
Photos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson