Jalen Harris grew up singing in the church in Memphis, C.O.G. I. C. His grandfather was a pastor. He excelled in middle school theater (from a prince in “Into the Woods” to “Fiddler on the Roof” to “Godspell” and “Hairspray”) before auditioning for American Idol season 10. That's when everything changed. He went back to high school to finish but then he got an agent and a star was born. His first audition was in Atlanta, where dreams come true. Harris got the job in the ensemble of Lion King, as an understudy for Simba. He found himself at 19, visiting New York for the first time. He had to sing, act, dance, and do stunts. Harris said it was amazing to be a part of history in the longest running show at 27 years. “You have to be ready to go in at any moment,” said Harris of being an understudy. There were four Simbas in all, he says, waiting to go in at a moments notice.
“I have so much respect for the swing players in this show,” he says of “Ain’t Too Proud,” the current show where Harris plays crooner Eddie Kendrick. He as always loved and studied the classic tenors with great falsetto. After four auditions before the pandemic, he got the part! He saw many parallels in his life to that of Eddie’s: both had bands and were all about the group over the individual. Both of them were concerned that the business of making music didn’t affect the sound.
Harris loves the Tony-award winning choreography and the quick changes in the show. In the dramatization of the Temptations lives written by Dominique Morrisseau, his favorite songs to perform are “Since I Lost My Baby” and then “Superstar” after Kendrick goes solo. His favorite part of being in the show was getting the chance to talk to the real Otis Williams, who’s 97 and still performing. This is his 60th year in the industry. Harris was inspired. “He is the blueprint and the foundation.”
Harris commented to say that their schedule is crazy that being on the road can be really fast paced. “You really have to focus to keep your energy level up. Sometimes it’s two shows on Sunday and then you pack right up and leave.” Harris has family here in Atlanta and he used to live right on Moreland in East Atlanta. We can’t wait to welcome him and the rest of the Temptations, Supremes, and ensemble to Atlanta!
