Niki Haris PERFORMER

Niki Haris is best know for being Madonna’s background singer and dancer for 18 years. This dynamic woman has since gone on to build an impressive solo career, spanning a multitude of genres, including pop, dance, R & B, jazz and gospel.

Her live performances and recording experience reads like a who’s who of the music world, with names such as: Ray Charles, David Sanborn, Patrice Rushen, Michael Sembello, Wilton Felder of the Jazz Crusaders, Stanley Turrentine, the Righteous Bros., Julian Lennon, Anita Baker, Mick Jagger, Whitney Houston and Madonna. Her vocal film work is also featured on the soundtrack for Corrina Corrina, The Big Green, Coyote Ugly and Anastasia . She has also recorded multiple television themes as well as co-writing and performed two songs for the Fox series Dark Angel.

Though her career has focused on singing and dancing, choreography and acting are also a part of her immense career. After choreographing the MTV Awards for Madonna, Niki helped stage scenes for Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct as well as choreographing for the television series Melrose Place . Lead appearances in Madonna’s Truth or Dare and featured artist on the HBO special Sandra After Dark as well a roles in the Al Pacino/Robert Deniro hit Heat have lead to public awareness and a desire to strengthen her acting career. Niki continued to build her singing career while touring with her father and promoting their albums, Down Home Blues and their inspirational CD, In His Hands. After her father’s untimely passing, Niki has carried on his legacy with a series of jazz tours.

In 2002, Niki was once again called on the road with the Madonna for her Drowned World Tour, and was highly featured in her Grammy nominated music video for the song “Music”. All this while promoting her own tour and smash single, “Dancefloor” mixed by DJ/Producer Jr. Vasquez. After completing two tours back to back, Niki decided to put her focus on her solo pursuits and she went into the studio to record a new dance CD Total Love , as well as a new live jazz CD, Live in Switzerland, as well as a live gospel record, The Beginning , recorded with John Barnes at Innersound Studios; all released in the summer of 2003.

Not one to rest, she continued to record and created new avenues to show her many diverse musical colors. She recorded a new Jazz CD “Live in London”, Toured Europe with her Jazz Quartet, and performed live dates as Featured Vocalist with RUFUS, stepping in for the legendary former lead singer, Chaka Khan. She released Special Edition through Thump Records/Universal as well as a Billboard charting dance hit “Let Me Hear The Music” produced by DJ Eddie X through 3 Monkeys Music. She also continued her love of jazz by touring with the production of Billie & Me , a celebration of the life of Billie Holiday. Here, Niki sang along side Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Rita Coolidge, Joan Osborne, and African songstress Rokia Traore. Her Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center performances were a smashing success.

Niki continues to share her gifts throughout the years by performing at a multitude of benefits for AIDS, Cancer research as well as Camp Harmony for inner city children. She is also a strong supporter for the Music in the Classroom program and RAAD (Rockers Against Drunk Driving). She diligently lends her time as an annual participant in the Season for Non Violence.

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