Niki Haris (born 1963), is an actress, dancer, and singer of pop, R&B and jazz.
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Early life and family
Haris was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1963, the daughter of Grammy nominated jazz artist Gene Harris. She attended college in Southern California before pursuing a singing career in amusement parks and clubs in the California area. Haris gave birth to a daughter, Jordan Ann, in 2003.
Music career
Haris is a longtime friend and backing vocalist for Madonna and began working with Madonna in her Who's That Girl Tour. She appeared in the movie Truth or Dare, a documentary of backstage and onstage footage recorded during the Blonde Ambition Tour. She also acted in the Madonna videos "Vogue" and "Music". With Donna DeLory, Haris participated in various Madonna tours including Who's That Girl Tour (1987), Blond Ambition Tour (1990), The Girlie Show Tour (1993) and The Drowned World Tour (2001). During The Re-Invention Tour in 2004, Haris was replaced with Siedah Garrett. The official word from Haris is that she "would like to focus on her solo career and family." Haris was also absent from Madonna's Confessions Tour, but did discuss elements of her former boss' love life for television audiences.[1] Her vocal film work is also featured on the soundtracks of Corrina, Corrina, The Big Green, Coyote Ugly, and Disney’s Anastasia. She has also recorded television themes, including co-writing and performing two songs for the Fox series Dark Angel. Haris toured with her father, until his death, while promoting their albums, Down Home Blues and In His Hands and Jazz Alley Cats. Haris performs at benefits for AIDS, cancer research and Camp Harmony for inner city children. She is a supporter for the Music in the Classroom program and Rockers Against Drunk Driving and is an annual participant in the Season for Non Violence.
Collaborations
Haris has collaborated with many artists including, Michelle Branch, All Saints, Whitney Houston, Kylie Minogue, Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Mick Jagger, Julian Lennon, LeAnn Rimes, Luther Vandross, Jessica Simpson, Pussycat Dolls, Santana, The Righteous Brothers, Rufus, Enrique Iglesias, Marilyn Manson and Madonna.
Choreographer and acting career
Haris choreographed the MTV Awards for Madonna, and for the television series Melrose Place. She helped stage scenes for Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. Haris has performed in lead appearances in Truth or Dare, was featured artist on the HBO special Sandra After Dark, and had a role in the film Heat. Niki appeared in, and sang backing vocals for Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special.
Selected lead vocal credits
- "Do Anything" by Natural Selection featuring Niki Haris (1991 Top 10 Pop Song hit)
- "There's No Business Like Show Business" (during credits of Noises Off...)
- "Exterminate" (Early 1990s hit performed with Snap!)
- "What's It Gonna Be" (Early 1990s #1 dance club chart hit produced by John Jellybean Benitez)
- "Do You See The Light?" (Early 1990s hit performed with Snap!, re-released and remixed for European market in 2002)
- "Total Love" (Hit single in Italy and Germany 2000-2001)
- "The One" (Co-written by Haris from Dark Angel Soundtrack, 2002)
- "Let Me Hear The Music" (Single from 2006 produced by L.E.X.– DJ Eddie X and Luigi Gonzalez– for 3 Monkeys Productions)
- "I Will Always Be There"(Urban Legends: Bloody Mary Soundtrack)
Selected backing vocalist work for Madonna
- Madonna Live World Tours, Who's That Girl (1987), Blond Ambition (1990), Girlie Show (1993) and Drowned World (2001).
- Madonna music albums Like a Prayer, The Immaculate Collection, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Something to Remember, and Ray of Light.
- Various Live performances with Madonna (including MTV Music Awards, Grammy Awards, EMA Awards and television shows).
Albums
- Live In Switzerland (jazz)
- Niki Haris Live (jazz)
- Niki Haris and Friends (jazz)
- The Beginning (gospel)
- Dance (pop/dance)
Filmography
- Heat (1995 Michael Mann action/drama film with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro
- Visa commercial (2007) in which Haris stars and sings the classic hit "Downtown"
