JMICHAEL HARRIS
SAXOPHONE | EWI | FLUTE | CLARINET | COMPOSER
ABOUT
Jamie Michael Harris is a London-based saxophonist, composer and arranger. He has worked with some of the most iconic jazz and pop artists of the last 40 years, from Nile Rodgers, Prince Buster and Eddie Henderson, to Gary Bartz, Dr. John and Quincy Jones.
Born in Leicester, UK, Jamie grew up on a diet of Weather Report, Miles Davis, Paul Simon and Randy Newman. Listening to these giants, together with the 80s sounds of Nik Kershaw, gave rise to a lifelong love of harmony. Picking up the saxophone in his teens led Jamie to David Sanborn and Michael Brecker, then onto Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea – all influences that inform his music to this day.
Jamie studied performance at Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA.
ARRIVING 2025
'LIGHT THE SKY'
Following the success of his debut EP 'Departure', J Michael Harris returns with a dynamic neo-jazz album that marks his evolution as an artist. Bringing together legendary musicians from London, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, the album embodies elements of jazz, dance and electronica while drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Robert Glasper, J Dilla, Aphex Twin, Sampha, and Herbie Hancock.
All music written by J Michael Harris (saxophone, piano, fender rhodes, synths, EWI, clarinet, flute)
featuring
Freddy Sheed (drums, percussion, programming/ Lewis Capaldi, The Japanese House, The 1975)
Jimmy Haslip (bass/ Yellowjackets, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Lorber Fusion)
Mo Pleasure (piano, hammond b3/ Earth Wind and Fire,
Michael Jackson, Ray Charles)
Karlos Edwards (percussion/ Nitin Sawney, Spice Girls, Mark Ronson)
Henry Collins (trumpet/ Amy Winehouse, Tom Jones, Van Morrison)
Mixed and Mastered by Guy Massey (The Divine Comedy, Kylie, The Beatles)
'DEPARTURE' EP
After writing sporadically throughout his performing career, as the events of 2020 took hold, J Michael Harris pursued a year of writing and practice. The music on 'departure' represents four cuts of many compositions written during that time.
Freddy Sheed (Lewis Capaldi, The Japanese House, The 1975) played drums and programmed percussion.
J Michael Harris performed all other instruments: tenor and soprano saxophone, flute, acoustic piano, electric piano, Juno synth, Fender Rhodes and synth bass.
Recorded, mixed and produced by Haydn Bendall (Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack)
Mastered by Mazen Muraz @Katara Studios
Artwork by Nate Hill Photography
CREDITS
Artists Jamie has worked with include
Nile Rodgers
Prince Buster
Eddie Henderson
Gary Bartz
Dr. John
Quincy Jones
Philip Bailey
Ronnie Wood
Mo Pleasure
Peter Andre
Laurel Aitken
Sister Sledge
The Pointer Sisters
Maceo Parker
Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Haslip
Heatwave
Sly and Robbie
Omar
Jocelyn Brown
Nik Kershaw
Melanie C
Hamish Stuart
Beverley Knight
King Salsa
Neff Irizarry
Lemar
Tony Hadley
Mica Paris
The Allstars Collective
Theatre performances include
The Rocky Horror Show (The Playhouse London and 40th Anniversary UK tour)
Legally Blonde (Leicester, South Korea and Monaco) | Grease (Curve, Leicester and UK and Ireland tour)
Jesus Christ Superstar (UK tour) | Bat Out Of Hell (Manchester Opera House)
Hairspray the Musical Tour (Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Macau) | Saturday Night Fever (Apollo Victoria, London)
Rob Lamberti presents Perfectly George (UK tour) | The Stevie Wonder Celebration (UK, Australian and European tours)
