Michael Allen Harrison
Michael Allen Harrison is a man of extraordinary talents. Producer, Composer, Arranger, Singer/Songwriter, Concert Pianist and owner of his own record label, MAH Records. Michael's unique brand of music ranges from movie scores to passionate arrangements for piano, orchestra, ballet, jazz, fusion, Smooth Jazz, Pop, New Age, and Adult Contemporary. Michael Allen Harrison's CD, "Emotional Connection", received a NASA Orbiting Certificate for air play in space on the space shuttle ENDEAVOR. His 1994 album "Circle of Influence" went up on the space shuttle DISCOVERY. On January 29, 1999, Michael was invited to perform in NYC at the United Nations premiering "Remembrance", a tribute song to the 50th Anniversary of Israel's Independence (which can be heard on his benefit CD "Seasons of Peace", recorded for the organization "Season of Non-Violence"). Michael performed at THE WORLD PEACE CONFERENCE at the Hague, in the Netherlands on May 14, 1999.
Michael's most recent double CD release, "Composer Pianist", celebrates his favorite compositions over the last 20 years, and includes his new Concerto. Michael has performed for President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and Quincy Jones when they have visited Portland. As the opening act for the Celebrity Forum Interactive Speaker Series, he opened for Walter Cronkite, Jerry Spence, Margaret Thatcher, Jerry Lewis, Colin Powell, Jan Schlichtman and James Whitmore. Michael composed and performed a new work entitled, "Ocean of Wisdom" for the Dalai Lama during his visit to Portland, and most recently he presented his first Concerto for piano and orchestra...a world premier performance with The Portland Festival Symphony. In 2004, Michael was the recipient of three Just Plain Folks (JPF) Awards in Los Angeles. He received Best Solo Piano for "Circle of Influence", Best Solo Piano Song for "Transitions", and Best Instrumental Song for "Journey Home". Michael Allen Harrison is by far one of the most recognized, loved and sought after musicians in the Northwest. Michael is also the founder of The Snowman Foundation which raises money to help kids through the Arts, providing instruments and scholorships to kids who can't afford it. For more information on the Snowman Foundation: http://snowmanfoundation.org/