Hiram Winard Harper (born June 4, 1962) 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 ...

drummer.

Career

Harper played in the 1980s with

Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and actor. He was among the most influential early bebop musicians, which included other greats such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gi ...

Johnny Griffin John Arnold Griffin III (April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin's career began in the mid-1940s and continued until the month of ...

, and with

Betty Carter Betty Carter (born Lillie Mae Jones; May 16, 1929 – September 26, 1998) was an American jazz singer known for her improvisational technique, scatting and other complex musical abilities that demonstrated her vocal talent and imaginative inter ...

for four years. While working with Carter he met

Wycliffe Gordon Wycliffe A. Gordon (born May 29, 1967) is an American jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator at the collegiate-conservatory level. Gordon also sings and plays didgeridoo, trumpet, soprano trombone, tuba, and piano. ...

, with whom Harper would collaborate repeatedly. From 1988 to 1993 he worked with his brother, trumpeter Philip Harper, in the group The Harper Brothers, alongside Justin Robinson,

Javon Jackson Javon Anthony Jackson (born June 16, 1965) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader, and educator. He first became known as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers from 1987 until Blakey's death in 1990. and went on to release 22 recor ...

, Walter Blanding,

Kiyoshi Kitagawa Kiyoshi Kitagawa (北川潔) (born December 5, 1958 in Osaka) is a Japanese-American jazz double-bassist. Career Kitagawa first played bass guitar, and was in a rock band as a high school student. He switched to double bass while a student at ...

, Stephen Scott,

Kevin Hays Kevin () is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; mga, Caoimhghín ; sga, Cóemgein ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ). The variant ''Kevan'' is anglicized from , an ...

, Michael Bowie, and Nedra Wheeler. After the dissolution of the Harper brothers, Winard recorded several albums as a leader. In the early 2000s he worked with his sextet and performed at

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 millio ...

in New York City. He played with

Avery Sharpe Avery Sharpe (born August 23, 1954) is an American jazz double-bassist, electric bassist, composer, educator and founder of the artist-owned record label, JKNM Records. Sharpe has a distinguished percussive and rhythmic approach on double bass. ...

in 2008. He leads the group Jeli Posse.

Discography

As leader

* ''Be Yourself'' (Epicure, 1994) * ''Trap Dancer'' (Savant, 1998) * ''Winard'' (Savant, 1999) * ''A Time for the Soul'' (Savant, 2003) * ''Come into the Light'' (Savant, 2004) * ''Coexist'' (Jazz Legacy, 2012) The Harper Brothers * ''Remembrance Live at the Village Vanguard'' (

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 ...

, 1990) * ''Artistry'' (Verve, 1991) * ''You Can Hide Inside the Music'' (Verve, 1992)

As sideman

With

Ray Bryant Raphael Homer "Ray" Bryant (December 24, 1931 – June 2, 2011) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Early life Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 24, 1931. His mother was an ordained minister who had tau ...

* ''Ray's Tribute to His Jazz Piano Friends'' (JMI, 1998) * ''North of the Border'' (Label M, 2001) * ''Godfather'' (M&I, 2011) With

* ''Look What I Got'' (Verve, 1988) * ''Betty Carter'' (Verve, 1990) * ''Betty Carter's Finest Hour'' (Verve, 2003) With

* ''The Gospel Truth'' (Criss Cross, 2000) * ''The Search'' (Nagel Heyer, 2007) 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.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 ...

, 1992) * ''

At Last "At Last" is a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film '' Sun Valley Serenade'' (1941). Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded the tune several times, with a 1942 version reaching number two on the US '' Billboard'' ...

'' (Muse, 1995) With

David "Fathead" Newman David "Fathead" Newman (February 24, 1933 – January 20, 2009) was an American jazz and rhythm-and-blues saxophonist, who made numerous recordings as a session musician and leader, but is best known for his work as a sideman on seminal 1950s and ...

* ''

Under a Woodstock Moon ''Under a Woodstock Moon'' is an album by saxophonist David Newman recorded in 1996 and released on Herbie Mann's Kokopelli label.Chillin''' (HighNote, 1999) * ''

Keep the Spirits Singing ''Keep the Spirits Singing'' is an album by saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman recorded in 2000 and released on the HighNote label the following year. Reception In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states "David "Fathead" Newman is in top for ...

'' (HighNote, 2001) * '' The Gift'' (HighNote, 2003) * ''

I Remember Brother Ray ''I Remember Brother Ray'' is an album by saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, paying tribute to his bandleader and mentor Ray Charles, which was recorded in 2004 and released on the HighNote label the following year. Reception In his review on A ...

'' (HighNote, 2005) With

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, 1994) * ''

Christmas with Houston Person and Friends ''Christmas with Houston Person and Friends'' (also released as ''Santa Baby'') is an album of Christmas music by saxophonist Houston Person that was released by Muse in 1994. Reception In his review on AllMusic, Scott Yanow stated "Tenor-sa ...

'' (Muse, 1994) With

* ''Dragon Fly'' (JKNM, 2004) * ''Legends & Mentors'' (JKNM, 2008) * ''Autumn Moonlight'' (JKNM, 2009) * ''Avery Sharpe Trio Live'' (JKNM, 2010) With

Billy Taylor Billy Taylor (July 24, 1921 – December 28, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and from 1994 was the ...

* ''Urban Griot'' (Soundpost, 2001) * ''Live at IAJE New York'' (Soundpost, 2002) * ''Taylor Made at the Kennedy Center'' (Kennedy Center Jazz, 2005) With

Frank Wess Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist. In addition to his extensive solo work, Wess is remembered for his time in Count Basie's band from the early 1950s into the 1960s. Critic ...

* ''Surprise, Surprise!'' (Chiaroscuro, 1998) * ''Once Is Not Enough'' (Labeth, 2009) * ''Magic 101'' (IPO, 2013) With others *

Monty Alexander Montgomery Bernard "Monty" Alexander (born 6 June 1944) is a Jamaican jazz pianist. His playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary of bebop jazz and blues rooted melodies. He was influenced by Louis ...

, ''Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2'' (Motema, 2014) *

T. K. Blue T. K. Blue (also known as Talib Kibwe, born Eugene Rhynie, February 7, 1953)TK Blue Artist Profile
Motéma Mu ...

, ''Amour'' (Dot Time, 2017) *

Don Braden Don Braden (born November 20, 1963) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.https://jazzbakery.org/events/saxophoniest-don-braden-quartet-presents-earth-wind-and-wonder saxophonist Don Braden Quartet presents Earth Wind and Wonder Career Braden w ...

, ''Organic'' (Epicure, 1995) *

Kenny Drew Jr. Kenny Drew Jr. (June 14, 1958 – August 3, 2014) was an American jazz pianist. His music is known for its Swing (genre), hard-swinging bluesy sound and large, two-handed root (chord), rooty chords contrasting with fast runs. The son of jazz pian ...

, ''Kenny Drew Jr.'' (Antilles, 1991) *

Chico Freeman Chico Freeman (born Earl Lavon Freeman Jr.; July 17, 1949) is a modern jazz tenor saxophonist and trumpeter and son of jazz saxophonist Von Freeman. He began recording as lead musician in 1976 with ''Morning Prayer'', won the New York Jazz Award ...

, ''Still Sensitive'' (India Navigation, 1995) *

Sara Lazarus Sara Lazarus (born April 1, 1962) is an American jazz singer who lives in France. Music career Lazarus was born in Wilmington, Delaware and began piano lessons when she was eight. She was a member of the band in school, playing tenor saxophone ...

, ''Give Me the Simple Life'' (Dreyfus, 2005) *

Curtis Lundy Curtis Lundy (born October 1, 1955) is an American double bass player, composer, producer, choir director and arranger. Lundy is best known for his work as part of jazz vocalist Betty Carter's band. Discography As leader * ''Beatitudes'' with Bo ...

, ''Against All Odds'' (Justin Time, 1999) *

Herbie Mann Herbert Jay Solomon (April 16, 1930 – July 1, 2003), known by his stage name Herbie Mann, was an American jazz flute player and important early practitioner of world music. Early in his career, he also played tenor saxophone and clarinet (incl ...

, ''65th Birthday Celebration'' (Lightyear, 1997) *

Carmen McRae Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpre ...

, ''The Carmen McRae Betty Carter Duets'' (Verve, 1996) * Mark Murphy, ''Some Time Ago'' (HighNote, 2000) *

Tete Montoliu Vicenç Montoliu i Massana, better known as Tete Montoliu (28 March 1933 – 24 August 1997) was a Spanish jazz pianist from Catalonia, Spain. Born blind, he learnt braille music at age seven. His styles varied from hard bop, through afro-Cuban, ...

, ''En el San Juan'' (Nuevos Medios, 1996) * Jimmy Owens, ''The Monk Project'' (IPO, 2011) *

Jimmy Ponder Jimmy Ponder (May 10, 1946 – September 16, 2013) was an American jazz guitarist. Career When Ponder's brother entered the military, he left his guitar, and Ponder picked it up. In his early teens he received lessons from the guitarist in a ba ...

, '' Come On Down'' (Muse, 1991) *

Janis Siegel Janis Siegel (born July 23, 1952) is an American jazz singer, best known as a member of the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer. Musical career In 1965, Siegel made her recording debut with a group called Young Generation on Red Bird Records. Af ...

, ''I Wish You Love'' (Telarc, 2002) *

Harvie Swartz Harvie S (born Harvie Swartz; December 6, 1948) is an American jazz double-bassist. He learned piano as a child and did not begin playing bass until 1967, when he was nineteen years old.Scott Yanow, Harvie Swartzat Allmusic He attended Berklee ...

, ''In a Different Light'' (Bluemoon, 1990) *

Bross Townsend Bross Elvie Townsend, Jr. (October 18, 1933 – May 12, 2003) was an American jazz and blues pianist. Townsend was born in Princeton, Kentucky. His father was also a pianist, and started his son on the instrument at age seven. Townsend moved to C ...

, ''I Love Jump Jazz'' (Claves Jazz, 1995) * Nancy Wilson, ''Turned to Blue'' (MCG, 2006) *

Steve Turre Stephen Johnson Turre (born September 12, 1948, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American jazz trombonist and a pioneer of using Conch (instrument), seashells as instruments, a composer, arranger, and educator at the collegiate-conservatory level. For ...

, ''

The Spirits Up Above ''The Spirits Up Above'' is an album by trombonist Steve Turre recorded in 2004 and released on the HighNote label. Reception The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow said "Trombonist Steve Turre pays tribute to his former employer, the remarkable mul ...

'' (HighNote, 2004)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Winard American jazz drummers Living people African-American jazz musicians 1962 births Jazz musicians from Maryland 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people