Harry Kim (musician)
Encyclopedia
Harry Kim was born and raised in New York City where he attended High School For The Performing Arts and prepared for a career as a classical trumpeter. After high school however, he relocated to Los Angeles and soon discovered the world of funk and jazz. After several years touring throughout the U.S. with various show groups, R&B revues and big hands, including the Harry James Big Band, he returned to Los Angeles to further his career.
Latin music took a front seat during the disco era, a time when live music was rarely featured in discotheques but was in strong demand by salsa audiences. It was at this time that he began working with artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and also began honing his arranging skills by writing and performing on many disco productions.
Soon he joined Stevie Wonders Wonder Love which opened the doors of opportunity to perform and record with such artists as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson. He was on stage for the Emmy Award winning 25th Anniversary of Motown performing with many of Motowns greatest stars. It was an evening highlighted by Michael Jackson's introduction of his now legendary moonwalk.
In 1985 he joined the Phenix Horns
, the celebrated horn section of Earth Wind and Fire. Together they performed with various artists throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Included were two tours in 1987 and 1988 with French icon Michel Berger
and vocalist France Gall
.
In 1989 he participated in the making of Phil Collins
's multi award winning CD ...But Seriously
. A world tour followed in 1990 marking the beginning of a long association with Collins. The multi platinum live concert CD Serious Hits Live was released soon after.
Realizing the many advantages of being part of a high performance horn section, Kim founded The Vine Street Horns. He called together musicians with whom he had worked for many years. Numerous productions with various artists were to follow.
In 1994 Phil Collins called on The Vine Street Horns to join him on his Both Sides
Tour, an extensive 18 month world tour.
In 1996 he was asked by Collins to organize a big band featuring adaptations of his music and the music of Genesis in a jazz setting. The Phil Collins Big Band was born. As musical director and arranger, Kim and The Vine Street Horns took center stage performing at all the major European jazz festivals, with Tony Bennett as vocalist and Quincy Jones as guest conductor.
This was also the year they recorded Phil Collins Into The Light CD which toured the world in 1997.
The year 1998 saw another Phil Collins Big Band tour resulting in a live CD entitled A Hot Night In Paris
.
Later that year an introduction to France's legendary singer Johnny Hallyday
led to 3 sold out performances at the Stade de France
(seating 81,338 people), five successful tours from 1998 to 2009 and numerous top selling concert CDs and DVDs.
In the new millennium Harry Kim continues to enjoy a well balanced schedule of studio recordings and live performances. Although he continues to tour throughout the world, with Johnny Hallyday and Phil Collins
, he also manages to add to his long list of credits while at home. Recently he has acted as horn section leader and arranger for the 2005-2009 seasons of American Idol
as well as for America's Got Talent and Celebrity Duets
.
Latin music took a front seat during the disco era, a time when live music was rarely featured in discotheques but was in strong demand by salsa audiences. It was at this time that he began working with artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and also began honing his arranging skills by writing and performing on many disco productions.
Soon he joined Stevie Wonders Wonder Love which opened the doors of opportunity to perform and record with such artists as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson. He was on stage for the Emmy Award winning 25th Anniversary of Motown performing with many of Motowns greatest stars. It was an evening highlighted by Michael Jackson's introduction of his now legendary moonwalk.
In 1985 he joined the Phenix Horns
Phenix Horns
are Earth, Wind & Fire, Phil Collins and Genesis's brass main section. The four members were Don Myrick on saxophones, Louis "Lui Lui" Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis on trumpet and Michael Harris on trumpet.-The Pharaohs:...
, the celebrated horn section of Earth Wind and Fire. Together they performed with various artists throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Included were two tours in 1987 and 1988 with French icon Michel Berger
Michel Berger
Michel Berger , born Michel Jean Hamburger, was a very successful French singer and songwriter. He was a central figure of France's pop music scene for two decades both as a singer and as a songwriter for well-known French artists like his wife France Gall, Françoise Hardy and Johnny Hallyday...
and vocalist France Gall
France Gall
France Gall is a popular French yé-yé singer.Gall was married to, and had a successful singing career in partnership with, French singer-songwriter Michel Berger....
.
In 1989 he participated in the making of Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
's multi award winning CD ...But Seriously
...But Seriously
-Instrumental contributions:*Phil Collins — keyboards, drums, percussion, tambourine, vocals*Nathan East — bass guitar*Daryl Stuermer — guitar*Dominic Miller — guitar*The Phoenix Horns:**Don Myrick — saxophone...
. A world tour followed in 1990 marking the beginning of a long association with Collins. The multi platinum live concert CD Serious Hits Live was released soon after.
Realizing the many advantages of being part of a high performance horn section, Kim founded The Vine Street Horns. He called together musicians with whom he had worked for many years. Numerous productions with various artists were to follow.
In 1994 Phil Collins called on The Vine Street Horns to join him on his Both Sides
Both Sides
-Unreleased Tracks:Several instrumental tracks were recorded and subsequently released as extra tracks on both singles for "Everyday", and "We Wait and We Wonder". These instrumental tracks include, "Rad Dudeski", and "Don't Call Me Ashley"...
Tour, an extensive 18 month world tour.
In 1996 he was asked by Collins to organize a big band featuring adaptations of his music and the music of Genesis in a jazz setting. The Phil Collins Big Band was born. As musical director and arranger, Kim and The Vine Street Horns took center stage performing at all the major European jazz festivals, with Tony Bennett as vocalist and Quincy Jones as guest conductor.
This was also the year they recorded Phil Collins Into The Light CD which toured the world in 1997.
The year 1998 saw another Phil Collins Big Band tour resulting in a live CD entitled A Hot Night In Paris
A Hot Night in Paris
A Hot Night in Paris is the only album by The Phil Collins Big Band, released in 1999 by Atlantic Records. Fronted by Genesis lead singer Phil Collins, the album did not contain any singing...
.
Later that year an introduction to France's legendary singer Johnny Hallyday
Johnny Hallyday
Johnny Hallyday is a French singer and actor. An icon in the French-speaking world since the beginning of his career, he was considered by some to have been the French Elvis Presley. He was married for 15 years to one of the most popular French female singers: Sylvie Vartan...
led to 3 sold out performances at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
(seating 81,338 people), five successful tours from 1998 to 2009 and numerous top selling concert CDs and DVDs.
In the new millennium Harry Kim continues to enjoy a well balanced schedule of studio recordings and live performances. Although he continues to tour throughout the world, with Johnny Hallyday and Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
, he also manages to add to his long list of credits while at home. Recently he has acted as horn section leader and arranger for the 2005-2009 seasons of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
as well as for America's Got Talent and Celebrity Duets
Celebrity Duets
Celebrity Duets was an American reality television show of the progressive game-show type, which combined celebrities of different backgrounds with professional singers in a weekly elimination competition....
.