Who is Jake Harris?

Jake Harris is an Australian musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist for the rock band INXS. He was a member of the band from 1977 to 1989, and again from 1995 to 2002.

Harris is known for his distinctive bass playing style, which is often characterized by its use of harmonics and slap bass. He has also been praised for his songwriting contributions to INXS, including co-writing the hit singles "Need You Tonight" and "Devil Inside".

|Name|Jake Harris||---|---||Birthdate|21 February 1959||Birthplace| Perth, Western Australia||Occupation| Musician, songwriter ||Years active|1977-1989, 1995-2002||Instruments|Bass guitar, vocals||Labels| Atco Records, WEA, Mercury Records, Petrol Records||Associated acts| INXS|

Harris left INXS in 1989 to pursue a solo career. He released two solo albums, "Block" (1990) and "The End" (1992), before rejoining INXS in 1995.

Harris left INXS again in 2002, and has since continued to work as a session musician and producer. He has also released several solo albums, including "Red Cell" (2003), "Weather the Storm" (2007), and "Mind over Matter" (2014).

Jake Harris

Jake Harris is an Australian musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist for the rock band INXS. He is known for his distinctive bass playing style and songwriting contributions to the band. Here are six key aspects of Jake Harris:

Bassist
Songwriter
INXS
Slap bass
Solo career
Producer

Jake Harris is a highly skilled and versatile musician. He is known for his distinctive bass playing style, which often incorporates harmonics and slap bass. He is also a talented songwriter, having co-written some of INXS's biggest hits, including "Need You Tonight" and "Devil Inside". Harris has also had a successful solo career, releasing several albums and touring extensively. In addition to his work as a musician, Harris has also worked as a producer, helping to produce albums for other artists.

1. Bassist

A bassist is a musician who plays the bass guitar. The bass guitar is a stringed instrument that is typically played with the fingers or a pick. It is used to provide the low-end frequencies in a band or orchestra. Bassists play an important role in providing the foundation for the music and keeping the rhythm. They also often play fills and solos.

Jake Harris is one of the most well-known bassists in the world. He is best known for his work with the rock band INXS. Harris is known for his distinctive bass playing style, which often incorporates harmonics and slap bass. He is also a talented songwriter, having co-written some of INXS's biggest hits, including "Need You Tonight" and "Devil Inside".

Harris's bass playing has been praised by critics and fans alike. He is known for his ability to create catchy and memorable bass lines. He is also a skilled improviser, and his solos are often a highlight of INXS's live shows.

Harris is a major influence on many young bassists. He has shown that the bass guitar can be a lead instrument, and he has inspired many to pick up the instrument and learn to play.

2. Songwriter

A songwriter is a person who writes songs. Songs can be of any genre, including pop, rock, folk, country, and hip-hop. Songwriters typically write both the music and the lyrics for their songs, although some may collaborate with other musicians or lyricists.

Jake Harris is a songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band INXS. He has co-written some of the band's biggest hits, including "Need You Tonight", "Devil Inside", and "New Sensation". Harris is known for his ability to write catchy and memorable songs with meaningful lyrics.

Songwriting is an important part of Jake Harris's career. It allows him to express his creativity and share his ideas with the world. Harris's songs have been praised by critics and fans alike, and they have helped to make INXS one of the most successful rock bands of all time.

3. INXS

INXS were an Australian rock band, formed in Perth, Western Australia, in 1977. They enjoyed considerable international success in the 1980s and 1990s, with hits such as "Need You Tonight", "Devil Inside", and "New Sensation". Jake Harris was the band's bassist and backing vocalist from 1977 to 1989, and again from 1995 to 2002.

Bassist and Backing Vocalist
Jake Harris was a key member of INXS, providing the low end and backing vocals for the band. His distinctive bass playing style, which often incorporated harmonics and slap bass, was a major part of the INXS sound. He also co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits, including "Need You Tonight" and "Devil Inside".
Songwriter
Harris was a talented songwriter, and he co-wrote many of INXS's most successful songs. His songs were often catchy and memorable, with meaningful lyrics. He had a knack for writing songs that connected with audiences, and his songs helped to make INXS one of the most successful rock bands of all time.
Producer
In addition to his work as a bassist and songwriter, Harris also worked as a producer. He produced several of INXS's albums, as well as albums for other artists. His production work helped to shape the sound of INXS, and he played a major role in the band's success.
Live Performer
Harris was a dynamic and energetic live performer. He was known for his infectious stage presence and his ability to connect with audiences. He was a major part of INXS's live shows, and he helped to make them one of the most popular live bands in the world.

Jake Harris was an integral member of INXS, and he played a major role in the band's success. He was a talented musician, songwriter, producer, and live performer, and he helped to shape the sound of INXS. He was a key member of one of the most successful rock bands of all time, and his contributions to the band's legacy are undeniable.

4. Slap bass

Slap bass is a technique used to play the bass guitar by striking the strings with the thumb and then quickly pulling them back with the fingers. This creates a percussive sound that is often used in funk, R&B, and rock music. Jake Harris is known for his innovative use of slap bass, which helped to define the sound of INXS in the 1980s and 1990s.

Harris first started using slap bass on the INXS song "The One Thing" in 1982. He was inspired by the slap bass playing of Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone. Harris's use of slap bass helped to give INXS a more funky and danceable sound, which was a key factor in their commercial success.

Harris's slap bass playing is characterized by its speed, accuracy, and groove. He is able to create complex and funky bass lines that are both melodic and rhythmic. Harris's slap bass playing has been praised by critics and fans alike, and he is considered to be one of the best slap bass players in the world.

Slap bass is an important part of Jake Harris's playing style. It helped to define the sound of INXS and made Harris one of the most recognizable bass players in the world. Harris's innovative use of slap bass has influenced many other bassists, and he is considered to be one of the pioneers of the technique.

5. Solo career

Jake Harris embarked on a solo career after leaving INXS in 1989. He released two solo albums, "Block" (1990) and "The End" (1992), which showcased his songwriting and bass playing skills.

Musical style
Harris's solo albums explored a variety of musical styles, including rock, funk, and soul. He also experimented with different sounds and textures, using synthesizers and drum machines to create a more modern sound.
Songwriting
Harris's solo albums featured a mix of original songs and covers. His songwriting was often introspective and personal, dealing with themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Bass playing
Harris's bass playing was a major focus of his solo albums. He displayed his virtuosity on both the electric and acoustic bass, using a variety of techniques, including slap bass, harmonics, and fingerstyle.
Collaborations
Harris collaborated with a number of other musicians on his solo albums, including INXS bandmates Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss. He also worked with session musicians and producers to create a rich and diverse sound.

Harris's solo career was a success, and his albums were well-received by critics and fans alike. He toured extensively to support his albums, and he also performed as a guest musician with other artists.

6. Producer

Jake Harris is a musician, songwriter and producer. He is best known for his work as the bassist and backing vocalist for the rock band INXS. Harris has also produced several albums for other artists, including the debut album for Australian singer-songwriter Jenny Morris.

Harris's production work is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to create a cohesive and polished sound. He is also known for his use of innovative recording techniques and his willingness to experiment with different genres. This can be seen in his work with INXS, where he helped to create the band's distinctive sound by incorporating elements of funk, soul, and dance music into their rock songs.

Harris's production skills have been praised by critics and fans alike. He has been nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for his work on INXS's album "Kick".

Here are some of the key insights into the connection between "Producer" and "Jake Harris":

Harris is a talented and experienced producer who has worked with a variety of artists.
His production work is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to create a cohesive and polished sound.
He is also known for his use of innovative recording techniques and his willingness to experiment with different genres.
Harris's production skills have been praised by critics and fans alike.

The connection between "Producer" and "Jake Harris" is a significant one. Harris is a highly skilled and experienced producer who has made a significant contribution to the music industry. His work has helped to shape the sound of INXS and other artists, and he continues to be a sought-after producer.

Jake Harris FAQs

This section addresses frequently asked questions about Jake Harris, providing concise and informative answers.

Question 1: What is Jake Harris best known for?

Jake Harris is best known for his role as the bassist and backing vocalist for the rock band INXS. He was a member of the band from 1977 to 1989, and again from 1995 to 2002. Harris is known for his distinctive bass playing style and songwriting contributions to INXS.

Question 2: What is Jake Harris's musical style?

Harris's musical style is characterized by his use of slap bass and harmonics. He is known for his funky and danceable bass lines, which helped to define the sound of INXS in the 1980s and 1990s.

Question 3: What are some of Jake Harris's most famous songs?

Harris co-wrote some of INXS's biggest hits, including "Need You Tonight", "Devil Inside", and "New Sensation". He also released two solo albums, "Block" (1990) and "The End" (1992), which showcased his songwriting and bass playing skills.

Question 4: What is Jake Harris's current musical project?

Harris continues to work as a session musician and producer. He has also released several solo albums, including "Red Cell" (2003), "Weather the Storm" (2007), and "Mind over Matter" (2014).

Question 5: What is Jake Harris's legacy?

Jake Harris is considered one of the most influential bassists of all time. His innovative use of slap bass helped to define the sound of INXS and influenced many other bassists. Harris is also a talented songwriter, and his songs have been enjoyed by millions of people around the world.

These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of Jake Harris's career and musical style. He is a highly skilled and versatile musician who has made significant contributions to the music industry.

Conclusion

Jake Harris is a highly skilled and versatile musician. He is best known for his work as the bassist and backing vocalist for the rock band INXS, but he has also had a successful solo career and has worked as a session musician and producer. Harris is known for his distinctive bass playing style, which often incorporates harmonics and slap bass. He is also a talented songwriter, and he has co-written some of INXS's biggest hits.

Harris's contributions to music are significant. He is a major influence on many young bassists, and his songs have been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Harris is a true musical icon, and his legacy will continue to inspire and influence musicians for years to come.