Oscar Harris
Oscar Harris (born 30 November 1943) is a Surinamese singer. He was among the best known Surinamese musicians in the Netherlands during the 1970s and 1980s.
Oscar Harris | |
|---|---|
 Harris in 1981 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 30 November 1943 Albina, Suriname |
| Genres | Pop, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1970–present |
Harris moved to Amsterdam to study architecture in 1963, and founded Oscar Harris and The Twinkle Stars, a ten-man vocal and instrumental group in 1965, which became known by playing at student gatherings in Amsterdam.[1] In 1968 the group was signed to the artist roster of Omega Records and Blue Elephant, with a tour of South America in 1971.[2][3]
In 1974, Harris went solo with the single "Alta Gracia", commencing a series of hit-singles up to 1988. He had also recorded some hits in Indonesia, including "Sandy" and "Oh Tuhan".
In 2015 TopNotch released a compilation CD in the Sranan Gowtu-series (Surinamese Gold) devoted to Surinamese artists, mainly from the 1970s.
Discography
- 1969 Try a little love
- 1969 Soldiers prayer
- 1974 2
- 1974 A day will come
- 1974 Alta Gracia
- 1975 Sing your freedom song
- 1977 De beste
- 1978 One of a kind
- 1980 Song for the children
- 1981 Best
- 1982 It takes two
- 1983 Everybody loves somebody
- 1984 Take good care of her
- 1987 With lots of love
- 1988 Love for the world
- 2004 Salsa romantica
- 2005 Dutch rare groove
- 2009 Shalom Salam (i.s.m. Flower to the People)
- 2010 Song for Pakistan Faith Hope and Love (i.s.m. Flower to the People)
References
- Annemarie Cottaar, Ik had een neef in Den Haag: nieuwkomers in de twintigste eeuw 1998 "Op de podia van studentenverenigingen begon ook de carrière van de in 1965 opgerichte band Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars, de populairste Surinaamse groep in Nederland ..."
- Billboard – 13 March 1971 – Page 53 "Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars in South America for a six-week tour."
- Billboard – Volume 84 1972 p37 "Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars are a ten-strong vocal and instrumental group from Surinam in the West Indies. They settled in Amsterdam several years ago and in 1968 they joined the ..."