Evelyn Maria Harris, an acclaimed singer, composer, producer and devoted educator whose powerful voice and generous spirit enriched the world of vocal music for more than five decades, died Dec. 16. She was 75.

A Jackson Ward native, Harris was a graduate of Armstrong High School and got her musical start at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she grew up singing and participating in church life. 

She went on to study music with dedication that shaped a remarkable career. 

In 1974, she became the sixth member of the pioneering a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, where her rich, soulful voice and dynamic stage presence helped define the group’s distinctive blend of harmony and cultural resonance. She co-produced nine albums with the ensemble and penned songs like “Emergency,” a powerful anthem about South African apartheid that  earned a Grammy nomination. Her work with the group brought music and message together in ways that moved audiences around the world. 

After leaving Sweet Honey in the Rock in the early 1990s, Harris continued performing with ensembles including the StompBoxTrio and remained active as a vocalist, composer and collaborator in a range of musical projects. She also devoted herself to teaching and community leadership, giving private lessons and directing choirs such as the Ku’umba Women’s Choir and the Ujima Singers through the Northampton Community Music Center. Her mentorship shaped the voices and confidence of countless students. 

Colleagues and friends remember Harris for her generosity, wisdom and unwavering belief in the power of music to heal and unite. She is survived by extended family, former students and countless friends whose lives she touched with song and spirit.