Anne Harris

Anne Harris entered the world in a modest college community nestled in Ohio, where her parents’ eclectic tastes in sound—from country and Celtic strains to funk, rock, and rhythm & blues—left an indelible mark. She first picked up the violin at three, though formal instruction did not begin until she turned ten; the structured regimen soon felt stifling. “I like the unusual, unexpected aspects of music,” she remarked. “Classical music is too rigid.” Years of live performances and dedicated practice eventually led her to the University of Michigan’s School of Music. Upon completion of her studies she relocated to Chicago, where theater productions and advertising work occupied her time, yet music remained her central passion. After collaborating with local ensembles including the Juleps and Poi Dog Pondering, she launched a solo career. Having sung the national anthem at Chicago Cubs games, she recorded her debut album, a self-titled collection issued by Rugged Road Records in 2001. Local critics embraced the recording, hailing it as the “coolest album of 2001” for its broad stylistic range. The following year she appeared at the North by Northeast Festival and served as an opening act for Angelique Kidjo.