Philip Harper (born May 10, 1965) is an American
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
trumpet
The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...
er.
Early life
Born in
Baltimore
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
,
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
, Harper grew up in
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
. He studied under
Jackie McLean
John Lenwood "Jackie" McLean (May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator, and is one of the few musicians to be elected to the ''DownBeat'' Hall of Fame in the year of their deat ...
at the
University of Hartford Hartt School
The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford located in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States, that offers degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded in 1920 by Julius Hartt and ...
.
Career
Harper played with
the Jazz Messengers
The Jazz Messengers were a jazz combo that existed for over thirty-five years beginning in the early 1950s as a collective, and ending when long-time leader and founding drummer Art Blakey died in 1990. Blakey led or co-led the group from the o ...
and
Mingus Big Band
The Mingus Big Band is a 14-piece ensemble, based in New York City, that specializes in the compositions of Charles Mingus. It was managed by his widow, Sue Mingus, along with the Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Dynasty. In addition to its weekly Monda ...
. He also signed with
Verve Records
Verve Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, the label is home to the world's largest jazz catalogue, which includes recordings by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, ...
and produced four albums for them.
From 1988 to 1993, Harper played in
the Harper Brothers with his brother,
Winard. Other band members included
Justin Robinson on alto saxophone,
Stephen Scott on piano and Michael Bowie on bass.
Discography
* 1988 ''Harper Brothers'' (
Verve
Verve may refer to:
Music
* The Verve, an English rock band
* ''The Verve E.P.'', a 1992 EP by The Verve
* ''Verve'' (R. Stevie Moore album)
* Verve Records, an American jazz record label
Businesses
* Verve Coffee Roasters, an American coffee ho ...
)
* 1989 ''Remembrance: Live at the Village Vanguard'' (Verve)
* 1991 ''Artistry'' (Verve)
* 1992 ''You Can Hide Inside the Music'' (Verve)
* 1993 ''Soulful Sin'' (
Muse
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...
)
* 1994 ''The Thirteenth Moon'' (Muse)
With
Cecil Brooks III
Cecil Brooks III (born 1959) is an American jazz drummer and record producer who has worked with Arthur Blythe, Russell Gunn, John Hicks, Andrew Hill, Etta Jones, Roseanna Vitro, Marvin Peterson, and Jimmy Ponder.
A native of the Homewood neig ...
*''
Hangin' with Smooth
''Hangin' with Smooth'' is an album by drummer Cecil Brooks III, recorded in 1990 and released on the Muse label.
Reception
''The Star-Ledger'' praised the "mix of hard-bopped standards, smooth ballads and smart, catchy originals." The ''Boston ...
'' (Muse, 1990)
With
Etta Jones
Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Her best-known recordings are "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me". She worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Gene A ...
*''
Reverse the Charges
''Reverse the Charges'' is an album by vocalist Etta Jones which was recorded in 1991 and 1992 and released on the Muse label.Houston Person
Houston Person (born November 10, 1934) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the ...
*''
Why Not!
''Why Not!'' is an album by saxophonist Houston Person that was released by Muse in 1991.
Reception
In his review on AllMusic, Scott Yanow stated "Houston Person's warm tenor tone, effortless swing, and skill at playing with organists have be ...
'' (Muse, 1991)
*''
The Lion and His Pride
''The Lion and His Pride'' is an album by saxophonist Houston Person that was released by Muse in 1994.
Track listing
# "Dig" (Miles Davis) – 9:32
# " I Remember Clifford" (Benny Golson) – 7:33
# "Dear Heart" (Henry Mancini, Ray Evans, Ja ...
'' (Muse, 1991
994
Year 994 ( CMXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
* September 15 – Battle of the Orontes: Fatimid forces, under Turkish gener ...
References
1965 births
Living people
Musicians from Baltimore
Hard bop trumpeters
American jazz trumpeters
American male trumpeters
The Jazz Messengers members
American male jazz musicians
University of Hartford Hartt School alumni
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