“… a powerful singer at ease in any setting.”
Ross Gentile, “Standards in Jazz,” WSIE-FM

"Karla Harris engages the audience and makes us happy to be sharing the evening with her."
-Clubscene

Welcome to vocalist Karla Harris’ home on the Web!
Thanks for stopping by.

News, Updates, and Performances...

June/July 2009

For a quick look at Upcoming Events, please click on the Calendar link above.

Don't miss...

Saturday, June 27, Karla and her Combo play the Tea Room at the beautiful Heathman Hotel in Portland, 8 - midnight. Come enjoy the music and relaxed elegance of this room and a super trio of players backing Karla, including Mark Simon on the baby grand, bassist Tim Gilson, and drummer Charlie Doggett. Great night with Karla's special mix of jazz and pop standards, delivered with love ... Join us! heathmanhotel.com

Saturday, July 25: Karla performs with the 13-piece Bobby Torres Ensemble featuring special guest Luis Conte, Grammy-winning Latin percussionist who has toured with everyone from Sergio Mendes to Chaka Kahn. UPDATE: Conte was called to perform for an MTV event and won't be there -- but Bobby's Ensemble is still on 8-midnight. jimmymaks.com, bobbytorres.com

Plus,

Friday, July 17, Signatures returns to Tony Starlight's Supper Club. If you've missed Signatures or haven't seen it lately, you need to come out for an evening with Karla and female vocalist compadres Barbara Ayers, Kat Cogswell and Stephanie Torres, celebrating the signature sounds of pop vocal groups from the Modernaires to Manhattan Transfer to Earth, Wind and Fire, to the Eagles. Show starts at 8 and is always full, so reservations are recommended. 503-517-8584. signaturesmusic.com

Bumper's Restaurant in Fairview, July 18, 7-11 p.m. for a casual evening in a beautiful restaurant that's become home turf for the Karla Harris Combo. This night features the wonderful Mark Simon on piano and fabulous percussionist Israel Annoh. Bumpersgrill.com

AND more shows on the Calendar Link above, including an August full of outdoor events!

MANY MANY THANKS to all who were a part of the audience at Karla's May 19 "Wine, Woman and Song" show at Tony Starlight's in the Hollywood District. This show intrigued and was an excellent evening. "Unique ... classy ... fun ... great concept and music ... wonderful wine and food ... you've got to do it again," were some of the comments. Again -- thanks for being there! WE'RE BRINGING IT BACK THURSDAY, OCT. 29, so please mark your calendars and spread the word for a fun evening.

Please drop an email at the Contact Link above if you'd like to be on Karla's mailing list.

DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING PRIVATE PARTY? Wedding, birthday, corporate event, holiday party? Karla can bring a band of any size to your event. Please email her at the contact link above for more info.

Thank you for visiting! Hope to see you out enjoying the music.
All good wishes~
Karla




Past News of Note:

June 6: Karla at the new "'Round Midnight" series created by David Ornette Cherry. Performing with the Bobby Torres Ensemble, 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. at the Curious Comedy Theatre in Portland. For the night owl in you ... www.roundmidnightpdx.xom

May 30: Tune into KMHD 89.1 for Homegrown Live with host Mary Burlingame at 2 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. Karla is the featured performer and will be making music with the JumpTown Quartet, including bassist Tim Gilson, guitarist Eli Reisman, pianist Mark Simon and drummer Larry Bard, for the full hour.

"Wine, Woman and Song," debuting May 19 at Tony Starlight's Supper Club and Lounge. ..... Karla, with the help of Tony's supreme Chef and Sommelier Tom J. Fields, has created a unique wine-food-music 'tasting' with songs specifically chosen to enhance the flavor of each wine variety you'll taste. This show is based on research done by major vintners Karla read about after wondering if music could be paired with wine in the same way food is -- to bring out the full "flavors" in each.

Karla is accompanied this night by the JumpTown Quartet, featuring musicians as fine as the wine -- guitarist Eli Reisman, pianist Mark Simon, bassist Tim Gilson and drummer Randy Rollofson, who are going to play everything from Monk to Mozart to test these theories.

Saturday, April 25 -- SIREN NATION'S annual BILLIE HOLIDAY TRIBUTE, at the new Mississippi Studios. Karla joins a fine group of singers, each presenting three of their favorite songs from Lady Day. sirennationcom. Check out the calendar for more info to come.

2008:

What a special July, and more in August and September...

We had an excellent time performing at the 28th annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival in Portland July 20. It was great to share the stage with my Twice As Nice recording partner and extraordinary bassist Tom Kennedy, plus outstanding drummer Todd Strait and the endlessly inventive pianist Randy Porter who played their hearts out for our show. Thanks to everyone who let us know they enjoyed the Music at the park or via the KMHD 89.1 simulcast, and to all who purchased Twice As Nice CDs. Hats off and thanks also to event director Joe Beeler and all of the organizers and volunteers. It was a great day!

Tom Kennedy and I are taking the show to the East Coast over Labor Day Weekend. We'll be opening the Nantucket Island Arts Festival, joined by great musicians out of NYC. Looking forward to meeting everyone there!

SEPTEMBER 6 -- I'll be on the beautiful Portland South Waterfront with the Bobby Torres ensemble at the Portland RiverFest. Latin jazz at its best and a great family event. Please check the calendar link above for details.

SEPTEMBER 7 -- I'm traveling to the coast for the Newport Jazz Festival. I'll be singing some tunes at the festival's Finale event -- the local All-Star Jam Performance, 1-2 p.m. This group features players from Newport joined by headliners who are in for town to perform at the festival. Looking forward to being a part of the party!