The Great British R&B Festival, Colne, Lancashire
Harper (Australia)

An amalgamation of blues, rock, funk, soul and world music, Australian singer/ songwriter ‘Harper’ creates a heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harp, and the haunting drone of the didgeridoo. He calls it – ‘World Blues Fusion’. 

Borrowing from western and world music, this musical visionary develops a highly original take on the roots genre. Harper’s latest release, ‘Day By Day’ (Blind Pig), displays his trademark virtuoso harp performances, distinctive instrumentation, deeply soulful grooves and instantly memorable songs and provides another prime example of why his unique roots music style occupies a category of its own.    

Harper has received multiple Australian Blues awards for ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’; ‘Acoustic Artist of the Year; ‘Album of the Year’ and many awards for his harmonica playing.  

He  has been described as "a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J. Cale-like manner, and a musical visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of the Australian indigenous culture of his homeland, with infectious modern percussive rhythms". Harper’s innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback breaks the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects. 

Harper grew up listening to folk, soul and blues music and surfing Western Australia's incredible coast line. In recent years Harper began a journey of self discovery and revelation which began with a chance meeting with a Hopi "Dan Running Bear" in Silverton, Colorado. Harper became fascinated with the culture of the American Natives. He also became aware of how little he knew about the Australian Aborigines of his homeland. So he set himself a course which completely changed his whole concept of the indigenous culture of the land in which he lived. This included learning to play the intensely spiritual didgeridoo. 

Harper's shows are witty, passionate and high-energy affairs, the likes of which the Colne audience are unlikely to see at any other rhythm & blues festival this year!