Harry Kim

Harry Kim was born and raised in New York City where he attended High School For The Performing Arts and prepared for a career as a classical trumpeter. After high school however, he relocated to Los Angeles and soon discovered the world of funk and jazz. After several years touring throughout the U.S. with various show groups, R&B revues and big hands, including the Harry James Big Band, he returned to Los Angeles to further his career.

Latin music took a front seat during the disco era, a time when live music was rarely featured in discotheques but was in strong demand by salsa audiences. It was at this time that he began working with artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and also began honing his arranging skills by writing and performing on many disco productions.

Soon he joined Stevie Wonders Wonder Love which opened the doors of opportunity to perform and record with such artists as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson. He was on stage for the Emmy Award winning 25th Anniversary of Motown performing with many of Motowns greatest stars. It was an evening highlighted by Michael Jackson’s introduction of his now legendary moonwalk.

Since 2005 he has acted as horn section leader and arranger for the 2005-2013 seasons of American Idol. In the USA Harry was even televised twice in one day as he played the final week of the Oprah Show, airing in the afternoon, and the final week of American Idol, airing in the evening. Harry just completed a tour with the legendary French recording artist, Johnny Hallyday, on his final tour.