Maurice Lajuane Harris, known professionally as Ionne (/ee-ə-ˈneɪ/), is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and arts administrator. Known for his genre-defying approach to electronic music, he has original music placements in television series, recordings and remixes on independent and major record labels, and collaborations with celebrated artists. Ionne is co-founder and co-president of 5015 Records with his brother, Grammy-nominated guitarist Rod Harris Jr., and the inaugural director of marketing and communications at Yale Schwarzman Center, Yale University’s center for student life and the arts.
| Born | November 14, 1974 (age 47) Riverside, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Que Maurice Harris |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter composer record producer arts administrator |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Organization | 5015 Records Yale University Midnight Oil Collective |
| Spouse | Might Harris (m. 2015) |
| Relatives | Rod Harris Jr. (brother) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | electronica |
| Labels | Clubhead Records D’Mar Entertainment Brand Label Music 5015 Records |
| Website | ionne.com |
Early Life
editMaurice Lajuane Harris was born in Riverside, California into a military family and frequently relocated, residing in the U.K., Germany, and several American states, often visiting family in Georgia and Florida, an experience that he credits with influencing his eclectic music style.
Education
editHarris studied electrical engineering and electronic media briefly at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and College-Conservatory of Music. He later completed a BBA summa cum laude at Northwood University, an MSOL at the College of Mount Saint Joseph (Mount Saint Joseph University), and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Ethical and Creative Leadership and a certificate in Martin Luther King, Jr. studies at Union Institute & University, linking the latter to his work in music and social change.
Career
editHarris’s recording career began in the mid-1990s with Ligosa Records & Sound Studios (later Legend Entertainment Corp.), a record production and artist management house credited with breaking and producing major and independent label artists including, at that time, Blessid Union of Souls, and George LaMond, and later, LaKieha Berri and Pay the Girl, among others. For several years Harris held roles in both the administrative and creative sides of the business in jobs ranging from pitching new artists to composing music for television and film, while also recording and producing music independently.
Since that time, Harris has continued to produce music independently, releasing a number of eponymous and pseudonymous works to underground acclaim including his 2011 pop-reggaeton cover of Erasure’s “Heavenly Action”. Harris was named the inaugural director of marketing and communications at Yale University’s Schwarzman Center in 2020. He is also a creator at Midnight Oil Collective and co-president at 5015 Records.
Recent releases, such as his 2021 album, For Those Who Remain, are designed to focus listeners’ attention on matters of racial, social, and environmental justice. Regarding that album, freelance journalist Andrea Valuzzo commented, "...in Ionne's hands, the [electronic] genre is elevated to the level of 'serious music' that espouses important messages."
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References
editNew Haven artist tackles social issues in genre-bending electronic dance music, CT Post, 07/01/2021, Retrieved 02/27/2022
Ionne Finds A Way Forward, New Haven Independent, 06/23/2021, Retrieved 02/27/2022
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spotlight on Alumnus, Union Institute and University, 01/11/2022, Retrieved 02/27/2022
Maurice L. Harris, PhD, Yale Schwarzman Center, 2020, Retrieved 02/27/2022
World Music, Daily Nutmeg, 06/24/2021, Retrieved 02/27/2022
Rod Harris and ‘Ionne’ Harris Create New East Coast Label, 5015 Records, East Coast Rocker, 09/21/2022, Retrieved 02/27/2022