SongVault Artist Profile

Harley White Sr. renowned Bay Area jazz bassist and vocalist, has been enchanting audiences for four decades. His accomplished style and confident musical knowledge has earned him stage time in performances with Frank Sinatra, Anita O’Day Earl “Fatha” Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Hendricks, John Handy, Sonny Stitt, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, George Coleman, Ernestine Anderson, Bill Eckstine, and Linda Ronstadt. In 1969 he joined The Edwin Hawkins Singers as a bassist and performed the first crossover gospel song "O’ Happy Day."

A native of Oakland, California, Harley has been in music education for over 30 years. He has inspired many of the youth to discover their talents as he has brought his vast knowledge of musical styles and understanding to them as an educator.

He began his professional career in 1960 playing with the many jazz greats of the San Francisco Bay Area mentioned above. His wits and gracious attitude has brought him to the attention of many other jazz greats as a sideman. In 1974, Earl “Fatha” Hines heard Harley playing with Martha Young, niece of the famous Lester Young, and hired him.

Over the year he has amassed a library of original music and given his talent to arranging other popular songs and is now beginning to offer this seasoned music for you to listen too. As you begin to hear more and more of Mr. White’s musical expertise you will grow to become a loyal fan and follow his musical expedition for the great enjoyment that it brings