Peter D. Harper

Born in England, Peter D. Harper’s musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet/ euphonium and keyboard. At the age of ten, his family moved half way round the world to Perth, Western Australia, and his Grandfather introduced Harper to the harp. In Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world, there was a thriving blues and folk scene. The blues had a rawness, an honesty and a passion of the soul which spoke to Harper deeply. Then, like every blues/ folk lover, Harper began his journey backwards to discover the deeper roots of the music. "I think Muddy Waters really hit me hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound, his powerful voice and his songs. I also really dug Sonny Boy Williamson II as well. I loved his rhythmic use of his harp. I was also inspired by a pretty wide range of players and styles like Little Walter, Sugar Blue and Stevie Wonder who guide me in my harmonica playing”. Fascinated with the spirituality and culture of the American Natives, he found the same intrinsic qualities present in the Australian Aborigines of his homeland. On adding the native didgeridoo to his music, Harper says "It is a sound I grew up with, so it seemed natural to add it to my songwriting particularly when the lyrics related to the plight of the Aborigines in Australia. When I added the didgeridoo to more traditional instruments, it worked. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with open arms. I also owe my life to a tribe of nomadic Australian Natives who saved my father and I from starvation when we were trapped at The Fitzroy Crossing (Western Australia), in between two fast flowing river torrents. They gave us enough food and water to last us until the flood had subsided. I feel my music is my way of giving back to these wonderful people". Very early in his career, Harper had the honor of backing Blues Legend "Muddy Waters" on harmonica for his West Australian tour. To date Peter D Harper has received 14 x music awards in 4 different countries, including a Gold Record with 4 x top ten Billboard Blues Charting Albums with 2 recent releases hitting # 3 on the worldwide Billboard charts. He has released 11 solo albums and has performed on over 2000 films, commercials and television series. Harper has also been a guest harmonica performer with US super group- "Journey” and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australia. He also had the honor of performing for the Queen of England, at a Royal Gala in Perth, Western Australia.

In 1994 Peter D Harper, moved to Melbourne, Australia releasing his first album, "Tears of Ice"(New Market) and "Yesterday Is Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil. "Live At The Soup Kitchen" (recorded in Detroit, USA) in 1997 was his first solo release. In 2000, he released "Glass on The Stepping Stone" (Full Moon) and "Live At St. Andrew's" in 2002. In 2003 he released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica awards and Album of the Year honor from "Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas” USA. In Australia, Harper received Australian Blues Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year and a TREV award for Acoustic Artist of the Year. His prolific recording career and memorable stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. He's played in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, China, The Caribbean and France. He first started performing in the USA in 1996, and has toured regularly since. It was on one of these tours that he caught the attention of Blind Pig Records, which made him their first international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to Detroit, Michigan in 2005.

Harper's first Blind Pig release and American debut, was 2005's “Down To The Rhythm”. Harper also released “Day By Day” (2007) and Stand Together (2010) through Blind Pig Records. Blues legend John Mayall loved Harper's songs so much so, that he included " Just What Your'e Looking For" on his CD "Tough" (Eagle Records). “Down to the Rhythm” and “Stand Together" reached # 10 on the Billboard Charts and # 1 on Sirius XM Bluesville Charts. Harper and Midwest Kind’s "Live at the Blues Museum" ( 2012- Blu Harp Records) was recorded at Canada's only Blues Museum, Windsor, Ontario and reached # 1 on the Sirius/ XM Radio Charts, USA/Canada. Harper received "Best Live Recording" award by Blues411, New York, USA. 2012. Windsor, Canada's Television network- CFTV 34 aired "An Evening with Peter D. Harper" in 2013.. Harper released an acoustic CD with Motor City Josh called "Bare Bones" (Blu Harp ) in 2013. He also received a 2013 "Happy to Have the Blues Award"- Best Instrumentalist" -"Big City Rhythm n Blues Magazine". Harper received a 2014 Detroit Music Award for "Outstanding Vocalist”. Harper and Midwest Kind were featured on PBS TV- WKAR "Back Stage Pass" in 2015 syndicated worldwide. In 2016, Harper and Midwest Kind released "Show Your Love' (Blu Harp) hitting # 3 on the Billboard Blues Charts plus an amazing 6 Months in the Top Ten. Harper received a 2017 Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Vocalist and a Bronte Blues Award, United Kingdom for best instrumentalist. In 2018, Peter D Harper's project with German Guitarist Joachim Griebe called - "Harper & Griebe" released an album called "Distant Unity" (BCS Music). Harper and Midwest Kind recently released "Rise Up" on February 11th, 2020 (Access Records) which debuted at # 3 on the Billboard Blues Charts.