SHANNON HARRIS

Self taught music producer/composer/artist and multi-instrumentalist, Shannon Harris is about to release his second album, “Audio Urbanology: The Art of Audio Truism”, much to the enthusiasm of his already sizeable army of fans. With the album anticipated to be prosperous and fame imminent, the inspiring, newfangled productions that he has established his own is assured to gain interest globally.
The development of his anomalous expressions in music is the fruition of a lifetime of musical influences. Growing up in an artistic family, Harris was exposed to an abundance of music, media, culture and various forms of art that definitely influenced his musical development and knowledge. Without any prior training, he has managed to set a high standard in his musical compositions and film scoring abilities, working with artist from all walks of life. Known for his individuality, he continues to push limits dynamically in the DJ/music production/composition scenes.
His first foray into DJ’ing came when he started to play records as a hobby at family reunions and local community parties, all of which led to him hosting a radio show (WIUS 88.3 FM) for 4 years where he continued to rise as a talented and unique radio personality of that time. His love and passion for a diverse world relentlessly pushed him to expose his listeners to quintessential albeit atypical music, contributing to a wealth of knowledge in different genres; setting him apart from the other disc jockeys that arrayed music solely from billboard charts. Shannon’s ubiquitous radio programming and on-air personality opened up many opportunities for him to travel worldwide and have DJ residencies in various nightclubs and other global events; during which he worked alongside with jazz, afro-beat and soul music artist ranging from Peven Everett to Mr. Something Something, DJ affiliates such as DJ Quantic (UK), Nikodemus (USA), Frankie Valentine (UK), Ron Trent, David Mancuso (USA), Ian Friday, Anthony Nicholson and Japanese DJs Moodman, Universal Indian and Kenichi Hayakawa to name a few. His productions are also featured on the Latenite Productions imprint, “Will B Presents Buki Cole & Free Radikal: Between the Thin Line”, where he remixed “Rotation” (2006), UK’s legendary artist Chanan Haspal’s “Footprints in the sand” (2010, Here and Now Recordings imprint), and Kenyan artist Africa Japiny where he produced a song entitled "Afrika" (2010 on Japiny Records). He has recently collaborated with Chicago’s very own young and upcoming vocalist, Koku Gonza, where he produced and arranged “One” (2010) featured on her debut album "Radiozophrenic".
After being diagnosed with and overcoming bi–lateral carpal tunnel syndrome at the young age of 25, Shannon’s fright of not being able to effectuate his goals and accomplishments aroused his priorities in music. Shannon expresses in an interview with Alex Pe Win from Voices Collective, “Life was too short not to pursue dreams and you never know what tomorrow will bring.” Being cognizant of this reality and determined to fulfil his dreams, Shannon started his very own record label, ‘Urbanicity Recordings’ in 1999. “Urbanicity is a collective of creative minds coming together to establish a new Chicago Arts Renaissance. Our events, fashion and recordings are intended to provide a different lifestyle through culture, music and live entertainment.” With this as his mantra, he instinctively sought out to purchase professional studio quality equipment that enabled him to produce and record music. It was then that Shannon consorted with a college friend now Jazz legend, Frank Parker and produced/composed several rare and sold out hits like Desperado El Montuno, Black Asiatic Women, May God B with U Always and Kato Kunspearasee (to name a few). Shannon’s very first release, Desperado El Montuno (2001), instantaneously became a ‘David Mancuso Loft’ Classic which also gained global support from the likes of DJ Alex Japan (who licensed it for a Japan mix CD), Joe Claussell, Antonio Ocasio, Frankie Valentine, Ian Friday, Kim Lightfoot and many other heavy hitters. Within a year after its release it was featured in the Japanese book, “House Legends”; landing an exciting opportunity to play a live, 7hr DJ set at the Japan “Magic House” events that took place in the mountains at the Narita Dream Farm (Chiba) and Yokohama.
Shannon continued developing his skills as a producer over several years while working on musicals, film scores and dance/theatre productions. All of which culminated in 2004 with the release of his multi-genre debut album ‘The New World Reveal-A-Solution.’ Here, he arranged his very first horn sections on Mizimu and recorded his first full-band/live studio session takes; all of which only created opportunities for his musical growth. Afro Cosmo/R3EM, recorded in complete darkness, was described by Alex (Voices Collective) as having “come straight out of the (Sun Ra) Arkestra!” Afro Cosmo/R3EM was the platform that extended to the start of a “cosmic experimental album” (of which will be released in the near future). ‘The New World Reveal-A-Solution’ exhibits this talented artist’s vast knowledge and quest for creating diversity in sound.
After honing his unique style in musical compositions over recent years, Shannon had developed an affinity with composing movie scores and in 2008, was commissioned to put together and perform 23 silent short film scores for the Chicago Cinema Forum series 'Magic in Cinema'. For this live performance, he wrote original musical material for films by legendary film producers Georges Melies, Edwin S. Porter, and R W Paul. This prospect summoned Shannon to establish his, very own film score company, “Audio Skore”. In addition to this year, he also solely produced, directed and released the first of his many documentaries entitled “Urbanicity, the Movement” featuring original music, voice-overs and visuals. As an artist with illimitable imagination and creativity, he believes in bringing any vision into reality no matter the expense and/or time invested in a project. “The end result is what matters”. Consistently moving into cinema, visual media and commercial productions, he possesses a dynamic ability in adapting himself to the ever-changing industry while remaining resolutely true to his musical visions and purposes.
Shannon over the years has also acquired a passion/desire to create exceptional world music. His obstinate nature in spreading various genres to satisfy his quest for harmonizing people only added to his appeal and multifaceted extravaganzas displayed in his fusions of jazz, house, Afro-Latin, classical, ethnic and sacred music gaining him a unique taste marker audience worldwide. His 2nd album release, “Audio Urbanology: The Art of Audio Truism”, rises as further proof of his consummate musical artistry and amplifying dexterities as a composer with a sure hand. To further attest his diversity, Shannon was approached by ‘Kreatia Designs’ in Chicago IL, to compose 3 separate scores for a fashion-art fusion series entitled, "Celebration of life" triptych: part I: "Rising", part II: “Fallen” and part III: “Burning” in the fall of 2010. He is definitely growing rapidly in the film/fashion/dance production scene as he recently was also appointed to compose/produce music for an art opening celebrating the “artists’ month” event held annually at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, debuting this Fall.
While working on his own productions at the Chicago Recording Company, this boundless producer had the rare opportunity to witness professional engineering from some of the best in the industry. Shannon’s discography is so diverse in genre that he hasn’t been dubbed with any particular sound but does have a stylistic way of making huge productions come to life. Apart from starting and owning his own record label, Shannon created a monthly event A.R.O.M.A (A Rhythmic Organic Musical Affair) which he describes as “the celebration of diversity in an ever-changing world focusing on various cultures, music, fashion, art and global awareness.” This is an event where people from all walks of life can experience oneness in celebrating their unique interests, experiences and expressions of life. Preceding A.R.O.M.A, Shannon is cherished by many fans who were regular attendees of his then monthly loft party, “The Urbanicity Dance & Arts Studio”. This celebration of gratitude for Shannon was a way of “artistically giving back to his people/community” as the concept of the event was to bring his immediate community back together. Being an utmost “private” occasion, Shannon and his confederates imposed strict door policies for the “selected” guests (by invite only) to make certain of a “tension free” environment where the focus of the night was to “leave all outside drama behind and dance freely without any inhibitions”. This intimate celebration, being as passionate as it was, is very well missed/cherished by his fans today.
This record label/film score company owner, DJ and music producer, in hopes of satisfying his perpetually growing musical ambitions of eventually becoming an illustrious composer in a symphony orchestra and in the film industry, continues to stay, focused on his goals, receptive to positive professional opportunities and remains diligent in his on going projects. If you’re looking for a bastion of musical diversity, then you have to look out for his many exciting and detail oriented works as well as his upcoming albums on ‘Urbanicity Records’.
- Xavier Taylor -- Updated July, 2010.
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