Just another singer?
      That notion will vanish the moment you hear her. Hilary Harris exudes energy that makes the audience take note.
Whether she’s singing a swinging standard, an intimate ballad, or a lush Latin tune, Hilary’s love for the art of jazz in unmistakable.

      Swinging. Soulful.
      Hilary and her band are musically adventurous, while they maintain the integrity of the songs and show the highest respect to the composers. Equally at home singing classical, R & B, pop, rock, country, and other styles, Hilary customizes her show to fit the mood of the event.

BACKGROUND
      Hilary became a jazz fan at a very early age. She often accompanied her mom, Max, to jazz festivals and concerts to hear her older sister and brother perform in their high school and college jazz bands. At these events, she got to hear some big names. There was always good music around the house, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughn, Mel Torme, Tower of Power, Earth, Wind, & Fire.

      In school, it turned out that Hilary was a natural at scatting, probably because of all the listening she had done. Her high school happened to have one of the best music programs in the country. The directors, Dave Cross and David Teal, were both big influences on her. They encouraged her to explore her talents in vocal jazz. Hilary recalls often hanging with Dave Cross long after school was out for the day, listening to records, learning tunes & chord changes. She was soon winning solo awards at high school jazz festivals throughout the Northwest and Canada. Another highlight was singing with the high school jazz band. She had found her calling.

      After high school, Hilary was fortunate to get a scholarship to attend the “Phil Mattson School”, an innovative college for vocal musicians. Phil Mattson is a respected arranger and pianist and considered one of the leaders of the vocal jazz world. At the school, Hilary studied vocal arranging, theory, jazz and classical voice, jazz and classical piano, studio singing, music history, and more. She was immersed in music from all directions, and was named valedictorian of the freshman class. She performed with the Phil Mattson Chorale, which toured the U.S. and Canada. She also sang in a vocal sextet under the direction of noted arranger/pianist/vocalist Michele Weir, which won second place in the Down Beat Magazine Collegiate Music Awards.

      In 1990, Hilary moved to Seattle, and began sitting in at jazz clubs. She met some of the great players in the area and began gigging around town. Today, she does jazz gigs, private events, clubs, session work, cruise ships, wedding ceremonies, voice-overs, the national anthem, and more. She also teaches private and group lessons, and occasionally works as an “artist in residence” at high schools.