Biography

December 2, 1969 · Palo Alto, California, USA

Gabriel Earl Harris

Surrounded by music since birth, Gabriel Harris has passionately sought out the secrets of the drum since the 1980s when he met master drummer Babatunde Olatunji. His apprenticeship with Olatunji inspired travel to West and South Africa to discover traditional rhythms and melodies with master drummers and griots - or jeli, as they are called in West Africa.

In the 1990s, Gabriel performed and recorded with innovative world fusion group Collage of i and co-founded the Naamu Groove Ensemble. In 2001 he founded Rhythm Village; producing exceptional performances of African and African fusion music and dance, and leading experiential workshops for a wide variety of audiences, from schools to international corporations such as PIXAR, Kaiser Permanente, CISCO Systems and many more.

He has toured internationally, performing with his mother, famed folk musician Joan Baez. He has performed on stage with the likes of The Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Mickey Hart, Indigo Girls, Babatunde Olatunji, Pete Escovedo's Latin Jazz Ensemble, and many more.

Son of Joan Baez and David Harris. Half-brother of Sophie Harris.