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In his career, music industry veteran Alonzo Harris has toured across the globe with renowned artists. But when H.E.R was invited to sing at the Olympics closing ceremony and asked Harris to collaborate and perform the national anthem, he knew this was an honor not to pass up.

“It was an amazing experience and an extreme blessing,” said the LaGrange College Class of 2004 alum. “I am grateful to have been from a small town in Manchester, Georgia, where I was cultivated spiritually and musically in my home church. My upbringing and college experience led me to performing on the largest stage in the world.”

Because of logistical reasons, Harris was the only one on stage with H.E.R. during the event.

“She preferred not to perform alone on this big platform,” he said. “In classic fashion, I’ve always been around and had her back so to speak since day one of every performance she’s ever done, from all the awards shows (Grammys, BET awards, Oscars, iHeart, NAACP awards), tours (headlining tours, Coldplay, Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller), specials, festivals (AfroPunk, Roskilde, Oya) and late night television (SNL, Fallon, Colbert, Corden, Kimmel).”

In addition to serving as musical director, Harris also arranged the anthem with the collaboration of H.E.R. and band members Keithen Foster, Ricky Ramos and Carrington Brown and scored the orchestral parts.

He made history as the first person of color to arrange the U.S. national anthem for the Olympics.

“To say I am honored is an understatement,” he said. “All of the years of hard work and dedication led me to that moment,” Harris said. “Thanks be to God for He deserves all the glory.”

Another memorable experience he had at the Olympics was doing the underscore and sound design work for the stunt Tom Cruise did following the national anthem performance.

“I enjoyed being able to add to the action of the moment,” he said.

Honing his craft

Harris’ path to becoming a musician began at the age of six.

“It all started with an ear for music and a desire to do the best I could with what I had, even though initially I did not have much,” he said. “But I did have the desire and the support of loving parents and family to help push me spiritually, intellectually and musically.”

When it came time to select a college, he chose to attend LC, following in the footsteps of his parents and older siblings.

“The Creative Music Technology program was exactly what I needed to cultivate my skills and ensure that I was equipped with some tools in my musical “bag of tricks” to succeed at what I was passionate about doing as a career,” he said. “I wanted to take in and learn as much as I could because I was not afraid to put in the work. I began to value the concept of work ethic when I was a student.”

He stands on the shoulders of mentors from his years as a college student.

“I am grateful to those who have played a part in helping me along in my musical pursuits,” Harris said. “At LC, they were Lee Johnson, the late Mitch Turner, Toni Anderson, Debbie Ogle, Matt Woods, Ken Passmore and John McKinnon.”

In 2013, he received the college’s Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award.

“That was on top of the list for most proud moments of accepting awards, especially since it was also opening night for the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra and I was guest arranger for a spiritual medley inspired by slave songs, which have served as personal fundamentals for my musical foundations,” Harris said.

After graduation, he went on to earn his Master’s in Music in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory.

Over the years, Harris has built an extensive resume in the professional music industry.

As a musical director, keyboardist, arranger and programmer, he has collaborated with such artists as Rickey Minor, Sheila E, Angelo Morris, Adam Blackstone, Onree Gill, Kim Burse, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Sting, Janelle Monae, the late Betty Wright, Lenny Kravitz, 21 Savage, Travis Barker (Blink-182), Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel, Tyrese, SWV, Shirley Caesar, Skip Marley and Chris Brown. He has also served as musical director of two Off-Broadway musicals, “Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical” and “An Evening with Phyllis Hyman.”

A full circle moment for Harris was having the chance to collaborate with some pioneers in the industry.

“Meeting and working with four people (the late Michael Mathis, Rickey Minor, Ray Chew and Onree Gill) who I looked up to, growing up and observing as musicians and musical directors, has been a blessing because it was like working and getting to know my music director heroes.”

The unifying power of music

Honors in his career that have meant the most to him are those that bring people together.

“I was part of the Grammy’s 2021 Song of the Year “I Can’t Breathe,” which represented the fight against police brutality in the inspiration of the George Floyd incident,” Harris said. “Another proud moment was when I performed a song I co-produced and arranged on the 2023 ESPY awards to honor Jimmy Valvano’s speech on its 30-year anniversary to “Never Give Up” in honor of the V Foundation for cancer research. Projects that are special to me are those that advance us as humans and bring us together rather than tear us apart.”

When working on a new project, Harris said he always thinks back to this quote: “We are only as good a musician as our sample bank.”

“We have to be conscious musicians, but also conscious humans,” he said. “By studying great music, we understand the textures that combine to formulate wonderfully made music whether produced, performed, arranged or composed. And even beyond actual music, life itself from its various experiences is even more important than the music because it fuels the inspiration for the music that relates to others to reflect and connect us even more.”

Mentoring the next generation

Aside from performing and arranging, another passion of Harris’ is teaching aspiring musicians.

He has taught as a professor for Berklee College of Music, State University of New York, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, Boston College and the Apollo Theater Education series.

“I have witnessed students from the bottom reach heights with some of the biggest music jobs in the world,” Harris said. “They make me very proud to do what I do best, helping others grow to their full potential.”

Harris also joined the Music Industry Advisory Board of the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and served as a Grammy U Spring 2023 mentor.

When looking back on his time at LaGrange College, he thinks back to the mission statement, “To challenge the mind and inspire the soul.”

“I find myself quoting it from time to time at various moments when considering what I do and my purpose in life. “In fact, it is that mission in addition to connecting with humanity in a way that is conducive to moving us forward in unity and love with one another.”