Bio

“It was always my dream as a kid to use my music as a message, to have meaning and to stand for what I believe.” -Jennifer Harper

Musicians often boast they have music in their blood. They should give singer/songwriter/activist Jennifer Harper a run for her money.

After listening to even a few of Harper’s missives, it’s all too easy to fall in love with her contemplative, assured artistry. That’s especially apparent on her second album, Change Is Coming, which Harper is currently supporting.

Raised in Washington, D.C., in a musical family, piano enchanted the artist starting at a young age. When Harper’s parents heard her mellifluous and soulful music, they immediately realized they had a musical prodigy in the house.

Harper studied classical piano and later taught herself to play songs she heard on Simon & Garfunkel, CSNY, and Joni Mitchell records that her older sisters owned. As a teen, she was drawn into alternative-music venues and reggae clubs. Hearing music at political rallies made the deepest impression on the artist.

“I saw how music was motivating change,” Harper said. And she wanted in.

Strong female voices of the ’80s, like Annie Lennox and Chrissie Hynde, inspired Harper. The raw intimacy of Tracy Chapman’s voice and lyrics gave her the strength to be an artist true to her own experiences.

Harper later took the plunge and moved to New York, where she attended Barnard College, delving deeper into the arts. Kismet happened when she linked up with legendary A&R rep and hit songwriter Roquel “Billy” Davis.

“He was my mentor,” Harper said. “He showed me that I was a songwriter. He’d play little pieces of music he’d written that had no words and say, ‘Sing along! Turn this into a song.’ He threw me into the fire, and I liked that.”

Davis urged her to develop her music, igniting her career.

Harper began participating in programs and showcases with The Songwriters Hall of Fame and The New York Songwriters Circle. She also began performing in theater, and using her voice in festivals and conferences geared toward encouraging women.

“It’s ingrained in me to work for the greater good,” Harper said, “to inspire hope and courage in others: as a musician, a mom of three and as a human being.”

Her rich voice and intimate lyrics evoke a 1970s flower-child spirit with a fresh layer of uplifting pop. Comparisons to Jennifer Harper’s motivational music include Carly Simon, Carole King and Sarah McLachlan.

Harper worked with all-star players for her previous releases, including producer and drummer Tal Bergman; pianist Haim Cotton; guitarists Dean Park and Oz Noy; and bassists Darryl Jones and Bob Glaub. Her involvement in March for Our Lives rallies to curb gun violence found her sharing the stage with Paul Simon.

Change Is Coming reflects Harper’s personal transformation during the pandemic. Attending songwriting and global women’s empowerment circles online during lockdowns strengthened her artistry.

“I would pick up the group energy and tune into it,” said Harper, who is now based in Stamford, CT. She found that her healing themes are “clearly meaningful to other people. What I was receiving musically felt channeled through me and didn’t belong to me.”

Together with Los Angeles producer, multi-instrumentalist, and music healer Tom Rossi, Harper developed her mantra-like songs into a more distinct sound. She collaborated with NY producer and composer Matt Anthony to create a more ethereal vibe. The songs on Change Is Coming come together to soothe the soul while inspiring the listener to broaden their perspective and spread positivity.

Building traction for her sound and appeal, Harper performed throughout the New York City area at many popular music venues, including Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room and The Bitter End. In addition, she guested on local radio stations such as 100.7 FM WHUD and performed on the popular morning show “CT Style.”

Over the years, media outlets including No Depression, Buzzfeed and Songwriting Magazine took a liking to Harper and her sound. Harper’s song “Little White Lies” was selected for the semifinalist stage in The International Songwriting Competition in two categories.

Her impressive list of credits doesn’t end there. She also played at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA; and at The Mint in Los Angeles. Adding to her accomplishments, she co-headlined a concert with Rachael Sage at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

With her critical accolades building, only time will tell what Harper’s next feats will deliver in 2023 and beyond.

“I’m eternally grateful for my fans and hope I can be an example that it’s never too late to follow your dreams,” Harper said.


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JENNIFER HARPER