Niki Haris (born
April 17 1962) is an American actress, dancer, and singer of
pop,
R&B,
Dance music and
jazz, perhaps best known for having been one of
Madonna's famous backing vocalists for 14 years from 1987 to 2001.
Early life and family
Haris was born
Gina Nichole Haire in
Benton Harbor,
Michigan on
April 17,
1962, 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 was a 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
Blond 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 following
Confessions Tour and
Sticky & Sweet Tour.
Her vocal film work is also featured on the soundtracks of
Corrina, Corrina,
The Big Green,
Noises Off,
Coyote Ugly, and
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. Niki also had
a billboard hit single called "Let me hear the music" with L.E.X. in 2006 on the dance/club
charts. Niki has made several television appearances in 2008 & presently in 2009 including: The
Democratic National Convention 2008,
CNN ,
Fox Network &
Fuse TV.
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,
Madonna,
Snap!.
Choreographer and acting career
Haris choreographed the
MTV Awards for Madonna as well as providing some additional choreography on
The Girlie Show, 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
- "There's No Business Like Show Business" (during credits of Noises Off...)
- "Where Are The Boys, Where Are The Girls?" with Snap!. Featured on the CD album release of "Welcome To Tomorrow"
- "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (from Gene Harris "In His Hands" (1996) album)
- "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's world tours: Who's That Girl (1987), Blond Ambition (1990), Girlie Show (1993) and Drowned World (2001).
- Various live performances with Madonna, including: MTV Music Awards, Grammy Awards, EMA Awards and television shows.
Albums
- Live In Switzerland (jazz)
- Niki Haris and Friends (jazz)
Filmography
- Visa commercial (2007) in which Haris stars and sings the classic hit "Downtown"
