Kevin Harris

An actor, singer, writer, producer and vocal coach, Kevin Harris has distinguished himself as one of the most versatile singers in the music business. For more than 30 years, he’s excelled in genres as diverse as pop, rock, jazz, blues, Broadway, classical music and R&B. The list of artists he’s worked with is a who’s who of the business.

Originally from the Bay Area, Kevin forged many close relationships with members of the Doobie Brothers, Loading Zone and Janis Joplin, singing with Herbie Hancock and the Legendary Headhunters, John Handy and Carlos Santana, as well as top Bay Area groups such as Joy of Cooking, Mandrill and members of Tower of Power. His jazz influences came from working with Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks, Esther Phillips, Rodney Franklin, Flora Purim, Art Blakey, Cedar Walton and many other great jazz sidemen, which earned Kevin a well-deserved reputation. His bands Tout Le Monde and the Kevin Harris All-Stars were featured every Monday night on the “Decade” stage at Q104.3. Among those who joined the show were Buddy Miles, Paul Shaffer, Will Lee, Stanley Jordan, Carlos Alomar, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Branford Marsalis, to name a few.

Kevin has also been an award-winning actor, appearing in “Streets of San Francisco,” “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” and he received the TOR Award for Best Supporting Actor Off-Broadway in 1986 for “The Holy Junkie.”

In 2010, Kevin was diagnosed with advanced stage three throat/neck cancer. After a debilitating treatment of radiation and chemotherapy, Kevin used his talents as a vocal coach, honed from working with Earl Jones, Johnny Mathis’ teacher at San Francisco State University. Vocal coaching through Jive Records helped Kevin maintain his vocal instrument. This marks Kevin’s long-awaited return from throat/neck cancer with these all-stars. Come celebrate the redemption!