With a wealth of performing experience, I can provide the perfect ambiance for your party, care home or charity event and am also ideal for entertaining as 'background' music for receptions. I play an electro-acoustic classical guitar, which has a pleasant mellow tone, complementing my voice and the relaxed, easy listening style which I perform. I pride myself on providing a unique blend of songs, with a smart appearance and professional approach, and am competitively priced. If it's a melodic song, then I enjoy singing it and because I'm a stickler for diction, you'll hear every word. I use a PA system (if required) for a high quality sound and enjoy singing songs from the likes of The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Neil Sedaka, Katie Melua, Roy Orbison, The Traveling Wilburys, Neil Diamond plus many more.
I started singing and accompanying myself on the guitar when I was seven years old and then soon progressed to studying classical music. For the past 22 years I have enjoyed singing at many residential care homes, supper clubs, charitable organisations, open mics and community festivals, which I find very satisfying (and have been performing in one way or another for over 40 years). From 2004 - 2011 I regularly performed a set of Gershwin, Berlin, Bart, Porter and Rodgers & Hart songs with a piano accompanist and since 2011 I have been singing with my guitar. I have also been 'resident musician', performing twice a year in the conservatory at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green since 2012. I take great care to choose the right type of uplifting songs, and also like to chat a little about each one, as I especially enjoy interacting with an audience.
I perform three different sets of songs, one of which is a Christmas/winter selection, so practically I am able to visit a care home up to three times a year if required, so that at least three quarters of each (approximately) 70 minutes set will consist of 'new' songs. In a nutshell, I truly love singing, playing guitar and entertaining. I feel that it nourishes my soul and hope that joy comes across to those who are listening. I presently sing in Hertfordshire and north and north-west London but if you are further afield please contact me.
My song repertoire includes:
★ Step Inside Love ★ Anyone Who Had A Heart ★ It's For You ★ 9 Million Bicycles ★ The Closest Thing To Crazy ★ Mary Pickford ★ A Winter's Tale ★ Myfanwy ★ If I Could ★ Bus Stop ★ In The Country ★ The Young Ones ★ That's What Love Will Do ★ All I Have To Do Is Dream ★ Crying In The Rain ★ Caravan Song ★ California Blue ★ Lucky Me ★ You Got It ★ Annie's Song ★ Love Is Like A Butterfly ★ Moon River ★ Rule The World ★ The Frog Chorus ★ When Winter Comes ★ Norwegian Wood ★ When I'm Sixty Four ★ And I Love Her ★ Your Mother Should Know ★ Lovely Rita ★ If I Fell ★ Do You Want To Know A Secret? ★ I Will ★ The Ballad Of John And Yoko ★ Across The Universe ★ Imagine ★ Nobody Told Me ★ Watching The Wheels ★ Wedding Day ★ Man In The Middle ★ Handle With Care ★ End Of The Line ★ Maxine ★ Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps ★ Love Me With All Your Heart ★ The Wind Beneath My Wings ★ Forever In Blue Jeans ★ Sweet Caroline ★ Pretty Amazing Grace ★ There's No Pleasing You ★ Wish I Could Write A Love Song ★ Wonder Where He Is Now ★ Blue Skies ★ Comedy Tonight ★ New Soul ★ Tea For Two ★ I'll See You In My Dreams ★ Breezin' Along With The Breeze ★ Bermuda Triangle ★ Rhode Island Is Famous For You ★ Small Love Song ★ English Folk Song ★ Walking In The Air ★ White Christmas ★ Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ★ It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ★ Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! ★ Sunrise, Sunset ★ Tell Me On A Sunday ★ Oh What A Circus ★ Living In A Fantasy ★ Captured By Your Love ★ Betty Grable ★ I'm A Song ★ Our Last Song Together ★ Betty Grable ★ One Way Ticket To The Blues ★ Queen of 1964 ★ Oh Very Young ★ Green Fields ★ Portobello Road ★ Moonshadow ★ Boxing ★ You're A Lady
The videos below will give you a taste of what to expect and please feel free to contact me, when I will be happy to discuss your requirements and my availability.
NEW FOR WINTER 2025
From winter 2025 I'm excited to announce that I will be performing a unique and entertaining blend of lighthearted, comic and reflective poetry and short monologues - all written by me and entirely 'family friendly' (so no bad language to worry about). I have two readings available, each approximately 70 minutes in duration and as with my singing, I enjoy interacting with an audience. As a playwright and poet, I have written over 60 uplifting poems and monologues which are in the style of Pam Ayres, Spike Milligan and Alan Bennett.
With many years of performance experience and a bronze winning comic monologue in the Global Finals of the World Monologue Games in 2024, you can be guaranteed an entertaining time. I have placed four poems below to give you a feel of my poetry and I presently provide readings in Hertfordshire and north and north-west London.
I charge £75 for singing and £60 for poetry readings. I will look forward to performing for you.
Each time I give a reading, I also like to spread a little happiness further afield by donating £5.00 of my fee to the charity Healing Little Hearts, who carry out free life saving heart surgery on babies and children in the poorest parts of the world. Thank you.
Giraffes
There’s something about giraffes which I really really love. I think it’s the way they move and how they tower high above.
They’re calm and nice and quiet, in fact they’re rather elegant, my very favourite animal, in second place – the elephant.
There’s nothing else like them, I’m sure they’re pretty bright, with eyelashes so very long and a tongue that’s quite a sight.
I wouldn’t mind taking one home but only for a day. I’d sneak it out of London Zoo while everyone’s away.
I’d feed it treats and walk it on a lead for all to see. I’d show it all the sights and sounds and then I’d set it free.
Onwards and Upwards
I’ve set the ball rolling and put things in motion, I’ve fired the starting gun.
I’m going upstream now and climbing that mountain, while knowing I’ve just begun.
I’m singing five octaves, I’ve reached supersonic, I’m walking on burning coals.
I’ve jumped from the top board, I’m free from my shadow and starting to reach my goals.
The train has departed, I’m taking my chances and jumping through hoops at last.
I’ve mastered high tightropes and won uphill battles, I’m learning my lessons fast.
I’ve cleared all the hurdles, I’m swimming the Channel, I’ve bungee jumped and I’ve survived.
The answers are clear now, so nothing can stop me, I feel that my time has arrived.
Al Fresco Fiasco
Pete runs a little café in the heart of Winchmore Hill. He thought he’d increase business with a continental feel.
The finest outdoor dining under warm, blue cloudless skies. He’s bought a pavement licence to place furniture outside.
Being a true romantic he would dream of starlit nights, a little touch of Paris, tables lit by candlelight.
Sophisticated eating for long summer nights and days. To create an ambience, well, at least that’s what he says.
But in reality…
It’s getting rather nippy and our lips are turning blue. Our noses are all dripping and I might have frostbite too.
The table cloth has blown off, condiments have disappeared. Skip the ice and lemon – we’ve got icicles on our ears.
We’re sitting in a hailstorm as it reaches gale force nine. Hope I won’t get pneumonia, as I pour some more red wine.
The fishcakes have re-frozen, my gazpacho’s watered down. A cold minus five wind chill and we really go to town.
I’d like to ask for the bill but my upper lip has stuck. There’s been some minor flooding and we see a floating truck.
These aren’t ideal conditions, it’s not a normal spring but a chance to eat al fresco? Wouldn’t miss it for anything.
I’ve Got The Strictly Blues
Now that Strictly’s off the box I’ve come to a loose end. There’s no more voting on the phone or Craig’s marks to offend.
Forget the sequins from now on, or fake tans ‘til next year. Gossiping will have to stop on who’s lost weight I fear.
I’ll miss Claude’s fringe and humour, Tess keeps it all afloat. The artifice pretending it’s a Sunday gets my goat.
Those friendly nods have finished from Dave Arch and his band. That music’s done and dusted and I’m feeling rather bland.
I need another quickstep, those flashing lights are cooI. How will I survive a week without a glitter ball?
I want to watch a samba, or mark down on a waltz. It’s not quite in ‘the spirit’, I know – I’ve got my faults.
That celeb’s got no rhythm, he’s telling silly jokes. He can’t score more than seven, you can’t please all the folks.
Len would not have liked to see all that ‘faffing about’. I bet she’s out by week two… in Blackpool – she’s still not out!
I’ve never been a dancer, I’m not light on my feet. In fact I’m rather clumsy, I cannot feel the beat.
So when I watch them dancing, I really am in awe. I cannot wait ‘till next time so I’ve booked to see the tour.
All poems Copyright © Marc Harris 2025
Marc is such a popular performer with our residents at Southgate Beaumont. He is a sensitive and gentle man who performs a mixture of well-known hits combined with his own clever song writing. He really sings from his heart. Residents appreciate his calming presence, his quirky humour and his wonderful storytelling throughout his performance. He is perfect for those residents who don’t like loud and intrusive music and really takes you on a lovely journey with his singing. Zoe Grindley Activities co-ordinator at Southgate Beaumont
A huge thank you for coming to play and sing to our tenants and staff this afternoon, it was a lovely afternoon listening to some of your favourite songs. As you could see the tenants really enjoyed it and appreciated your talent and skills. Dawn Slagel, Harmony Close.