Peter Harper (musician)

Peter D Harper
Peter D. Harper playing chromatic harp
Background information
Birth name Peter D. Harper
Also known as Harper
Born (1970-11-10) 10 November 1970
Guildford, Surrey, England
Origin Perth, Western Australia
Genres Blues rock[1]
Occupation(s) Harmonicist, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instruments Harmonica, didgeridoo, djembe, keyboards, vocals
Years active 1990s–present
Labels Full Moon Records, Nibelung Records, Blind Pig Records, Bluharp Records
Peter D. Harper with his didgeridoo in D from Day by Day

Peter D. Harper (born 10 November 1970) is an Australian-American[2] blues rock harmonica player, singer and songwriter.[1] His unusual slant on blues music includes the use of the didgeridoo.[3] Billed with his backing band as Harper and Midwest Kind, his 2016 album, Show Your Love debuted at No. 9,[3] and peaked at No. 3 in the US Billboard Blues Albums chart plus 25 weeks in the Top Ten.[4]

His interest in the blues was inspired by his grandfather's record collection which included work by Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter.[1]

Life and career

Harper was born in Guildford, Surrey, England, but relocated with his parents to Perth, Western Australia at the age of 10.[1] In the late 1970s he played in a brass band learning to play the euphonium and trumpet. Further inspired by Stevie Wonder's harmonica playing, Harper was self-taught on the instrument and played in clubs before securing his first recording contract. He had also performed with bands including the King Pins, the Magnificent Seven, West of the Wall, the Flirts, the Mods, and Good Horse before, in the early 1990s, forming Blue Devil. They performed for several years prior to recording their debut album, Tears of Ice, which was released by Newmarket Records. Yesterday Is Over (Shock Records, 1996) followed before Harper parted company with Blue Devil.[1]

His debut solo album was self-released in 1997, a live affair called Live at the Soup Kitchen. Glass on the Stepping Stone (Full Moon Records, 2000) was his next release, which allowed Harper full control over the songwriting, arrangement and production. He toured in the United States from 1997 onward promoting both albums, and supported acts including John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Koko Taylor, Little Feat, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray. Harper signed another deal with the German record label Nibelung Records in 2000, and planned further European based releases in his own name.[1] By now often simply known as Harper,[3] he teamed up with the Detroit, Michigan-based band, Midwest Kind, before permanently relocating to the United States in 2005.[3] They toured together appearing at various music festivals, including the Common Ground Music Festival in 2013.[5] Their debut recording, Stand Together (2010), was issued by Blind Pig Records.[3] His earlier release, Down to the Rhythm (2005) and Day By Day (2007) had appeared under his own name.[6]

Live at the Blues Museum (2012), was released through Blu Harp Records. The next studio recording with Midwest Kind was Show Your Love, which debuted at No 9, peaking at No 3 on the US Billboard Blues Albums Chart.[3] It has had a chart run of over six months.[4]

Discography

Albums

YearTitleRecord labelBilled as
1997Live at the Soup KitchenSelf-releasedHarper
2000Glass on the Stepping StoneFull Moon RecordsHarper
2002Live at St. AndrewsFull Moon RecordsHarper
2003Way Down Deep InsideFull Moon RecordsHarper
2005Down to the RhythmBlind Pig RecordsHarper
2007Day by DayBlind Pig RecordsHarper
2010Stand TogetherBlind Pig RecordsHarper and Midwest Kind
2012Live at the Blues MuseumBluharp RecordsHarper and Midwest Kind
2013Bare BonesBluharp RecordsHarper and Motor City Josh
2016Show Your LoveBluharp RecordsHarper and Midwest Kind

[1][3][7]

Music awards

  • Detroit Music Awards – "Outstanding Vocalist" (2014)
  • Best Instrumentalist – "Big City Blues Magazine" USA (2013)
  • Best Live CD "Blues 411", New York. USA (2012)
  • Inducted into the Blues Museum Hall of Fame, Canada South Blues Society, Windsor Canada. (2011)
  • The Bronte Blues Awards, United Kingdom – "Best Instrumentalist" (2009)
  • Acoustic Artist of the Year TREV, Australia (2005)
  • Male Vocalist of the Year – "Australian Blues Awards" (2004)
  • Song of the Year – "Australian Blues Awards", (2004)
  • Album of the Year, Nasty Harp, Sweet Harp Awards- "Guide to Best of the Blues Harmonicas and Beyond" USA – Way Down Deep Inside CD. (2003)
  • Raw Talent Awards Number 1 Song "Never Change the Way She Feels", Australia (2001)
  • Duke Award Yamaha Rock, Australia
  • Gold Record – "Sailing Australia" America's Cup Theme

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stephen Howell. "Peter Harper | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  2. ↑ "Autumn Music". Northernexpress.com. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Timothy Monger. "Harper and Midwest Kind | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  4. 1 2 "Blues Music: Top Blues Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  5. ↑ "2013 Lineup - Common Ground Music Festival". Commongroundfest.com. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  6. ↑ "Harper returns to The Livery - The Herald Palladium : Features". The Herald Palladium. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  7. ↑ "Show Your Love - Harper and Midwest Kind | Releases". AllMusic. 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
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