Philip Harper

A good hard bop trumpeter who, in the mid-'90s, became a more adventurous improviser, Philip Harper became well-known during 1988-1993 as co-leader (with older brother Winard) of the Harper Brothers. He had previously toured with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (where his Lee Morgan-influenced style fit in perfectly) and recorded with Cecil Brooks III, Joe Chambers, and Errol Parker. After the Harper Brothers band broke up (having produced four albums for Verve), the trumpeter recorded as a leader for Muse and played with the Mingus Big Band. ~ Scott Yanow