Colleen Harris

ABOUT COLLEEN

Music has always been a big part of my life, but so has my curiosity about social history, identity and politics, and how they shape people’s lives. Those threads have continued throughout my career, from journalism and broadcasting to the stories I choose to explore today.

I spent 16 years at BBC News, working across national and international output including the Six and Ten O’Clock News and BBC World TV. Alongside fast-paced daily news such as the Tunisia and Nice terror attacks, I found opportunities for arts and culture reporting and human-led storytelling. I presented more than 40 films for BBC current affairs programme Inside Out, was occasional presenter for The Cultural Frontline on BBC World Service, and fronted a four-part culture magazine show called Global Pulse for BBC World TV News.

Today, I work independently across presenting, interviewing, writing, media training, panel moderation and live events. As a writer for Music Week, I interview artists and industry executives including Lenny Kravitz, Olivia Dean and Paloma Faith. I’m also a judge for the Music Week Awards and Women In Music Awards, keeping me connected to conversations shaping the industry.

I’m the creator and host of ‘Guitars of R&B’, a YouTube interview series spotlighting touring and session guitarists behind some of the most recognisable music of the last several decades, with credits spanning Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, James Brown, and Beyoncé. The series celebrates the musicians behind these iconic recordings, while helping to broaden representation within the guitar world. I lead the project from concept to delivery - from guest curation and editorial direction through to interviewing, production, branding and audience engagement.

My creative journey began before journalism. I studied at the BRIT School of Performing Arts and performed professionally as part of a girl group, which led to winning a MOBO Award in 1999. Music has remained a constant throughout my life, and today I continue to explore that creative side through playing guitar and creating Guitars of R&B.