Emma released her debut album 'LoveLife', (June 2005) with 'El Gringo Productions' featuring the legendary ex James Brown/Van Morrison Tenor Sax man, Pee Wee Ellis.
Please go to www.emmasings.com to find out more information and to hear mp3's from 'LoveLife'.
Featured Musicians
Guest appearances by the legendary jazz/funk sax player, Pee Wee Ellis.
Other Band Members
Dave King - Piano
Adrian Smith - Double Bass
Scott Hammond - Drums
John Plaxton - Trumpet, Flugel Horn
Nick Sorensen - Alto Sax
Nick Waterhouse - Trombone
Dave Abram - Clarinet
Jonathan York - Violin, Viola
Si Downes - Electric and Acoustic Guitar
Influences
Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Mowtown, Bob Marley, India Arie, Jill Scott
Sounds Like
Reviews:
"It was a fine vocal performance,the revelation came when Emma Harris sang them, overcoming their complexities to deliver each with the assurance and accuracy of a well-worn standard, Harris was excellent"Venue Magazine
"Emma has a powerful and distinctive voice"Al Morrison
"Emma deserves her recognition as one of the leading Jazz singers in the South West and, having just recorded her debut solo album 'Lovelife', will no doubt find herself known on a far wider stage" Sarah McConnaughie
“An Excellent Album” BBC Radio Bristol
“With a voice like that, we hope Emma will be on the scene for a very long time to come"Radio Frome FM
Musicians Emma has sung with:
* Adrian Smith
* Alamo Leal
* Anders Olinder
* Andy Hague
* Andy Nowak
* Andy Tween
* Asaf Sirkis
* Dave Griffiths
* Dave King
* Howard Vause
* Iain Ballamy
* John Law
* Karen Street
* Keith Harrison-Broninski
* Mark Ballamy
* Mike Peake
* Nick Sorensen
* Pee Wee Ellis
* Pete Judge
* Ray Russell
* Richard Kennedy
* Sam Burgess
* Scott Hammond
* Steve Hall
* Tom Kincaid
* Tony Orrell
* ..and many more.
The Emma Harris Quartet are gaining recognition as a dynamic, nu jazz outfit.The Quartet often features some of the Southwest's most talented jazz musicians and are noted for their fresh, soulful renditions of jazz standards.
Their style is both funky and smooth and their sound is driven by the everpresent groove of Adrian Smith on double bass. Emma has also recently worked with The John Law Trio wih Drummer Asaf Sirkis and Sam Burgess on Bass
Skarper
Emma is also fronting 'Skarper' a high energy 7 piece funk/soul/ska band.
Skarper are the perfect band for a party, they always create an uplifting atmosphere and have a 100% success rate at getting the crowd dancing and having a great time. Please visit www.emmasings.com/skarper for more info or to book them for a party.
Songs of the Spirit and Senses
http://www.songs-of-the-spirit-and-the-senses.com
These are settings by Keith Harrison-Broninski ("a fine pianist", The Independent) of lyrical poetry by Ann Harrison-Broninski ("spellbinding", Venue Magazine). Performing with Ray Russell, Tony Orrel and Dave Griffiths.
"It was a fine vocal performance, matched by Ray Russell's dazzlingly imaginative guitar and his interplay with the understated and unpredictable percussion of Tony Orrell. There were many sparkling moments, particularly Russell's rocking in 'Shadow' and Dave Griffiths' mandolin on 'Downland', and Harris was excellent throughout."
Venue Magazine
see Blog for full review
Biography:
Emma comes from a musical family and was brought up on a combination of Reggae and Mowtown. She started singing at the tender age of five. By the time she was 17 she was singing in a reggae band with both of her parents.
At 18 Emma discovered and fell in love with Jazz and started a five year stint singing with Jazz outfit "Eyebrow Music", singing the songs of greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday.
Blues Express
Emma went on to explore The Blues spending 3 years gigging with 'Blues Express', where her warm husky voice was often compared to that of Bonnie Raitt. It was during this Blues phase that she developed the Bluesy Gospel style that she is well known for now.
Nunney Jazz
In May 2001 Emma began singing at the a 'Nunney Jazz Cafe' starting with 'Ghost Dance' (an original composition by Keith Harrison-Broninski) performing alongside Brazilian Bluesman Alamo Leal and Kizzy Morrell.
Nov 2002 Emma performed with ex James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis for the 'Nunney Gospel Cafe' doing tracks from Pee Wee's Gospel album 'Ridin Mighty High'. Pee Wee's soulful tenor playing is featured on 'LoveLife', Emma's debut album.
Emma also sang for the 'Tango Cafe' with accordionist Karen Street and saxophonist Mike Mower and more recently appeared at the 'Paris Cafe' in July 2005 with bassist Dave Griffiths and trumpeter Pete Judge.
Naked Voices
2003 - 2004 she sang with 'Naked Voices' a 17 piece Bristol based accapella group who are a favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with sell out gigs every year for the last 3 years.
Session Work
Emma was recently featured on the soundtrack of the film "Tempesta" composed by Richard Mitchell.
She also sang on Colin Harrison's 5 Rhythms dance album 'Feel It'.
Emma is available for session work and is especially interested in doing vocals for R'n'B, Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Folk and Jazz Funk tracks.
Emma's guest vocals are on Howard Vause's 'The Driver'. Watch it now.
We realise how this is quite obviously automated and you will probably consider it as spam and ignore it.. but if you are feeling the need for a some fresh new music please visit our page and give our new EP a listen. We've worked really hard on it and had some excellent feedback so far and would love to hear what you guys think.
"Exciting, Striding and assured. It has an energy reminiscant of everything that was good about the Klaxons debut album.." - BBC Radio Bristol.
"The overall sound echoes that of Bloc Party but with great conviction and sophistication. Go see them live if you can." - iTunes review.
It's also available to buy through our website and itunes if you really do like it.
We're playing at The Thekla in Bristol tomorrow night. We hope you can come. Its a special multi-media show with a vj mixing footage from Baka land with live film and effects. Come and dance and spread the word to your friends. It'll be a great night. We'll be playing songs from our new album "Baka Beyond the Forest" as well as some old favourites. Its the 5-piece line up featuring Molara, Fela Kuti's niece and the original voice of Zion Train, joining Su on vocals. You can hear clips on our website (www.baka.co.uk) and our Myspace page. It starts early (7.30pm) so don't be late! One Love!
Put my little one to bed poured myself a lovely cup of red bush tea accompanied by a small brandy, clicked on your myspace and just listened!... Fabulous!
