Focus

FOCUS

Eugene Johnson, director of the Northwest Activities Center's Theatre Program says Teddy Harris is "one of those Detroiters who is famous everywhere- except in Detroit." Maybe he's exaggerating just a little, but one thing is certain: Theodore Edward Harris. Jr. is one of the most serious, well-respected people in the world of contemporary popular music.

   Teddy Harris writes and teaches music, plays all the keyboard and reed instruments, is the musical director for the Supremes, was a A pianist and composer for Aretha Franklin for 5 years, and has appeared with such great performers and glittering stars as Pearl Bailey, Joel Grey, Kim Weston, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Ernie Farrow, Jimmie Wilkins, Paul Butterfield, Gerald Wilson, Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr. 

   Proving that you don't have to work out of a fancy office or studio in Los V Angeles or New York to be a successful arranger, conductor, composer, pianist, flutist, and saxophonist, Teddy's office-studio is in the basement of his Highland Park home. "I was born in Detroit and this is my home. Greater things can be achieved right here at this time because of the vast amount of talent that is here," he says.

   Harris will be taking the opportunity to show off some of that talent this month as the Northwest Activities Center presents "Art Evening with Ted Harris" day, September 10, with a repeat performance on Sunday, September 12. Harris has assembled a special troupe for these two events, made up of eight singers, 15 musicians, and a full complement of dancers. Included are two of his daughters: 16 year-old Karla Harris, who will dance with the Clifford Fears company at the shows and who also plays flute, sings, models, and is a student director for the Highland Parks High Schools repertory program; and Margo, 13, who plays piano, flute, and saxophone as welt as percussion instruments. All of the music performed at these concerts will be Ted Harris compositions.

   Theodore Harris was born in 1934, went to Northern and Eastern High Schools, and remembers wanting to be a musician ever since he was three years 7 old and his mother took him to see the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra. He has come along way since then, with his own music providing inspiration to his peers as well as the younger artists "on the way up." Besides the unique presentations f at the Northwest Activities Center (on Meyers at Curtis), Harris' world of creativity can be sampled on a new album by the Hastings Street Jazz Experience, released and distributed by the local Midnight Records label.

-Pat Hughey