Jeanette Harris - A Jazz Jewel

By: Sheila E. Ross SJM: You are originally from Fresno, CA. and describe your music as soul jazz. Can you tell us more about this?

Jeanette: At a point early in my career when I begin to share the stage with American singer-songwriters such as Babyface, Kem and Phil Perry, I had a realization moment learning that my sound includes both jazz and soul, (not just smooth jazz) as these artists confirmed for me repeatedly that my sound crosses over to a soul sound. This was certainly evident during the shows I performed when the audiences responded with standing ovations.

SJM: Who are the artist that influenced you early in your career?

Jeanette: As I share in my bio, there are three--Richard Elliott, Steve Wonder and Norman Brown. With 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! Stevie Wonder’s music touches the hearts of people with lyr-

ics that have strong meanings, and beautiful chords and melodies. 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 Grammy nominated 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," SJM: According to your bio, you play both the saxophone and piano professionally. What other instruments do you play? Sep/Oct Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 33

Jeanette: I play the flute and I actually play on some of my own music. I play the piano also. On flute, I do not consider myself an Althea Rene or a Kim Scott, but I do play flute on a number of my songs. SJM: Do you believe at some point in your show you your performances to playing the flute or the piano audience? will extend for the

Jeanette: Yes, we are always looking to improve the show in different ways. I sincerely believe the audience would be thrilled to see me hop over to the piano and play, but most definitely, I will soon begin to include the flute in my performances. SJM: From reading your bio, you come from a warm, spiritual family. I understand your father was a church organist. Can you tell us more about his musical background? Jeanette: In addition to playing organist at our church, dad was a tuba player in the marching band and in his Alumni band. My family pondered over which instrument I would eventually play. Though my dad gave me a guitar to play early on, the saxophone would became the instrument of choice for me. This occurred when my mother and I would listen to music in the car while riding, and Grover Washington, Jr. would come on. Between the sound of his music and the appearance of his album cover came the inspiration for me to play the saxophone. SJM: Your brother Michael is among those that joined you at the start of your music career under J&M records. Can you tell us more about this? How is your brother doing? Jeanette: My brother is doing very well. He has helped me tremendously through-

out my career. Michael functions as a true professional. Over these years, he has helped me with song production, playing the drums and the percussion instruments. In my opinion, my brother is top-notch on percussion and I always want him to play instead of others. He is also an entrepreneur working his own business. My whole family is entrepreneur oriented and always has been. My brother functions in many capacities. He even helps me out with opinions on wardrobe and make-up choices!

SJM: Not many artist can speak to owning his or her own record label. Is this how you were all able to start a family record label?

Jeanette: Yes, so when it was time for me to pro- duce my first album, we selected a producer to work with, but that experience did not turn out as well as we had liked it to, so my mom just said, “why don’t we just start our own busi- ness”. My family members are all entrepreneur oriented.

SJM: What was your most fascinating experience in working with Tena Marie?

Jeanette: This came with me taking Pamela Williams place. Tena Marie needed a saxophone player in a rush. She contacted me through an associate of mine. The opportunity to audition for her went well and to my surprise, she really enjoyed my flute playing skills as well!

SJM: How did you manage when the pandemic first began? Did you draw closer to family?

Jeanette: When Covid came, I wanted everyone to feel better so I did indeed draw close to family, but just as important, I wanted everyone to feel better so my way of making that happen started on Facebook with a weekly performance for my audience. This eventually grew into a YouTube channel and my audience

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Feature

Still responds well today. My subscribership went from 3000 to 13,000. Please join me on Wednesday evenings for my YouTube show.

SJM: I understand you have at least two different perfumes. How can we purchase them?

Jeanette: Yes, we have the perfume. This is a part of our band always wanting to do something unique and different for our audience. You can go to Jeanetteharrissband.com to get information on the perfumes and place orders.

SJM: Where does Jeanette Harris go from here?

Jeanette: Finish my new album project for 2022, which I am currently working on and focusing more on performing quality shows for the audience. I do not put an

album out every year like some artist do. I have never been like that. In addition, I am not interested in merely performing, instead I wish to develop quality shows and not just take any offer that comes along our way.