Biography
Born to pianist Ace Harris and niece to Erskine Hawkins, Asa Harris spent her early years immersed in music. While attending Catholic grade school she took part in choirs as well as stage productions. As a speech and drama major at Catholic University of America, she performed in theater for many years, appearing on screen in the 1996 Robert Duvall film A Family Thing. She has also served as a home hospice chaplain. In the musical sphere Harris performed with Erskine Hawkins' band in the Catskills, taught jazz vocal performance at Webster University, and worked to introduce jazz in elementary and junior high schools. In 1999 Asa Harris released her long overdue debut recording, All in Good Time, offering her interpretations of standards that included Erskine Hawkins' theme song "Tuxedo Junction."