SOLD OUT - Natalie Williams Soul Family, special guest: David Ryan Harris

Hosted by the wonderfully charismatic and talented soul singer Natalie Williams and her band, Soul Family Sunday offers the chance to catch some of the best R&B, soul and jazz musicians in the UK up close and personal.

While guests vary from month to month, there is always the opportunity to hear music of the highest quality where the
stars of the British scene showcase their material in an exciting ad hoc setting.

THIS MONTH'S GUEST: DAVID RYAN HARRIS!

Nice to meet you.  My name is David Ryan Harris.

Born in Chicago.  Raised in Atlanta.  Live in Los Angeles.

I heard music, melodies and stories in my head as a child. 

They never went away and I hope they never do.  

After experimenting with drums, piano and other instruments in my teens I began my love/hate affair with the guitar. 

So, there it is:  I am a soul singer who plays guitar.

And sometimes:  I am a guitarist who sings soulfully.

Drawn to the blues after hearing songs by Son House, Robert Johnson and others and growing up at a time when Prince, Parliament/Funkadelic, Stevie Wonder and other musicians were stretching the boundaries of popular music I began to understand that music could not and should not be limited by our often narrow views of what it should be.

Co-founded a band called Follow For Now in 1988 in the hopes of creating a sound that combined all the influences that had been shaping my musical vision: 

Bad Brains meets Stevie Wonder and Public Enemy in Memphis.

While the band had a short life, it was my launching pad, as it allowed me to taste the fruits of such a strange mess of musical ingredients.

Signed to Chrysalis in 1990 and released “Follow For Now”

Signed to Brendan O’brien’s Columbia imprint in 1997, released a self-titled  record and began to spread my wings as an artist, writer and producer.

Signed to Elektra in 2000, with a band called Brand New Immortals and released Tragic Show.  Label folded.  Band followed suit.

Self released “The Bittersweet” in 2007.

Since then I have had the pleasure of writing with, playing with and/or producing artists from Dave Matthews, Cassandra Wilson, Derek Trucks, Santana, Marc Broussard, Guy Sebastian and have played in John Mayer’s band since 2004. 

This is still the beginning.