Winard Harper

Inspired by the musicianship of greats such as Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Jackie McLean, Cannonball Adderley, Dr. Billy Taylor, Art Blakey and Billy Higgins, Harper has been the leader and musical inspiration for a vibrant nonet for more than a decade. Through that ensemble, he develops and mentors many young jazz musicians who have gone on to successful careers including Jazzmeia Horn, Josh Evans and Bruce Williams. The group, Jeli Posse, appears regularly all over the United States from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to Yoshi's, the legendary West Coast jazz club and their most recent CD hit number one on the JazzWeek charts within weeks of its release.

Constantly in reverence of his predecessors while remaining innovative in his own right, Harper has become one of the most celebrated drummers in jazz. He is a virtuoso on the drum set as well as the balafon, the West African equivalent of the marimba. Critics have written that Winard is as pleasing and entertaining to watch as he is to hear. "As tasteful a drummer as one could ask for," according to Jeff Kaliss ofJazzTimes. Harper's first major gig was with Dexter Gordon in 1982, and shortly thereafter with Johnny Griffin. It wasn't long before his drumming skills captured the attention of Betty Carter. He spent four years working with Ms. Carter's band, inevitably honing his jazz-as-entertainment sense of showmanship. He was an integral part of Dr. Billy Taylor's Trio beginning in the 1990's and was the legend's go-to drummer for more than two decades. 

Winard Harper studied at the Conservatory of the University of Cincinnati and at Howard University and was awarded a scholarship to study Jazz under the guidance of Jackie McLean at the University of Hartford. He has played with Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Betty Carter and formed Jazz sensation The Harper Brothers. Winard Harper was part of the Young Lions with brother Philip and members of The Harper Brothers, having five much lauded albums and Billboard 100 positions to their name. He formed his own Sextet in 1993, recording seven albums featuring a host of special guests, true to Winard's collaborative approach and the strong desire to showcase Jazz Greats of all ages, his heroes and heroines, he has held in high esteem. https://www.winardharperjazz.com/