Billy Harper's unique music creativity was first noted in Houston, Texas, where, at age 5, he was singing at sacred and secular functions and participating in choral and solo singing events. By age 14, he formed his first Billy Harper Quintet while a student at Evan E. Worthing High School. Graduating cum laude, he went on to study saxophone and music theory at North Texas State University and received his Bachelor of Music degree. He continued graduate studies at NTSU and became a member of their "big band." That year, 1965, the University's big band won first prize at the Kansas Jazz Festival.
Harper moved to New York in 1966 and began attracting attention from some of jazzdom's giants - Gil Evans, Max Roach, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He performed, recorded and toured Europe, Japan, Africa and throughout the United States from 1966 to 1979 with these groups, as well as his own Billy Harper Quintet.
The Billy Harper Quintet began receiving notoriety of its own. In 1966, Harper and his ensemble group were highlighted on the NBC-TV special, "The Big Apple." With more exposure came bigger audiences and bigger demands for appearances.
Throughout Harper's career, there has been a pattern of spiritual growth and innovation. Says Harper: "My feeling is that music should have a purpose. In the past, it always has been used for healing and uplifting and meditation. And that's the way I see my music. I've had people come up after a program to tell me that they felt a spiritual healing from the music. When that happens, then I feel we're fulfilling what we're supposed to do. If people are entertained, that's ok too. But I certainly see a purpose in my music beyond that."
As a teacher and lecturer, Harper has taught at Livingston College and Rutgers University. He has also received a special grant from the New Jersey State Council for the Arts to teach improvisation at 15 high schools. Awards and honors included 3 Music Composition Grants; two from the National Endowment of the Arts, and one from the Creative Arts Program. He also received the International Critics Award for Tenor Saxophone for two years consecutively.
As a recording artist, Billy Harper's album, Black Saint exploded on the international jazz scene in 1976. The reviews all applauded his innovations and prompted the Modern Jazz League of Tokyo to name the album, "Jazz Record of the Year - Voice Grand Prix."
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/billy-harper/
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La creatividad musical única de Billy Harper se notó por primera vez en Houston, Texas, donde, a los 5 años, cantaba en funciones sagradas y seculares y participaba en eventos corales y de canto solista. A los 14 años, formó su primer quinteto Billy Harper mientras estudiaba en la escuela Secundaria Evan E. Worthing. Graduado cum laude, pasó a estudiar saxofón y teoría musical en la Universidad Estatal del Norte de Texas y recibió su Licenciatura en Música. Continuó sus estudios de posgrado en NTSU y se convirtió en miembro de su " big band."Ese año, 1965, la big band de la Universidad ganó el primer premio en el Festival de Jazz de Kansas.
Harper se mudó a Nueva York en 1966 y comenzó a atraer la atención de algunos de los gigantes del jazz: Gil Evans, Max Roach, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey y los Jazz Messengers. Actuó, grabó y realizó giras por Europa, Japón, África y por todo Estados Unidos de 1966 a 1979 con estos grupos, así como con su propio Quinteto Billy Harper.
El Quinteto de Billy Harper comenzó a recibir notoriedad propia. En 1966, Harper y su grupo ensemble fueron destacados en el especial de NBC-TV, " La Gran Manzana."Con más exposición vinieron audiencias más grandes y mayores demandas de apariciones.
A lo largo de la carrera de Harper, ha habido un patrón de crecimiento espiritual e innovación. Harper dice: "Mi sensación es que la música debería tener un propósito. En el pasado, siempre se ha utilizado para sanar, elevar y meditar. Y así es como veo mi música. He tenido gente que vino después de un programa para decirme que sintieron una sanación espiritual por la música. Cuando eso sucede, entonces siento que estamos cumpliendo con lo que se supone que debemos hacer. Si la gente está entretenida, también está bien. Pero ciertamente veo un propósito en mi música más allá de eso."
Como docente y conferencista, Harper ha enseñado en Livingston College y Rutgers University. También ha recibido una subvención especial del Consejo Estatal de las Artes de Nueva Jersey para enseñar improvisación en 15 escuelas secundarias. Los premios y honores incluyeron 3 Becas de Composición Musical; dos del Fondo Nacional de las Artes y una del Programa de Artes Creativas. También recibió el Premio Internacional de la Crítica al Saxofón Tenor durante dos años consecutivos.
Como artista de grabación, el álbum de Billy Harper, Black Saint explotó en la escena internacional del jazz en 1976. Todas las críticas aplaudieron sus innovaciones y llevaron a la Liga de Jazz Moderno de Tokio a nombrar el álbum "Grabación de Jazz del Año-Gran Premio de Voz"."
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/billy-harper/
A1 Awakening 6:55
A2 Priestess 11:33
B1 Love On The Sudan 17:11
Credits:
Artwork [Art Staff] – Hideo Nakata, Mok (6)
Bass – Gregg Maker*
Composed By – Billy Harper
Coordinator [Programing] – Tsutomu Ueno
Design [Cover] – Keiji Sashida, Satoshi Saitoh, Sign (6)
Drums – Malcom Pinson*
Liner Notes – 岩浪洋三*
Photography By [Front Photo] – Tadayuki Naitoh
Photography By [Photo Back] – Nobuo Hayashi
Piano – Mickey Tucker
Producer – Yoshio Ozawa
Recorded By – Jim McCurdy
Tenor Saxophone – Billy Harper
Trumpet – Everett Hollins*
Written-By – Billy Harper
Notes:
Original first Japan only release
Recorded June 27, 29 & 30, 1977 at A&R Recording Studio, New York City.
Label: Denon Jazz – YX-7568-ND
Country: Japan
Released: 1977
Genre: Jazz
Style: Contemporary Jazz, Modal, Hard Bop
https://www.discogs.com/release/2330903-Billy-Harper-Quintet-Love-On-The-Sudan
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Awesome Jorge! Recorded shortly after (so to speak) Black Saint. Thanks for this listen!
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Thanks for the preview of this scarce Billy Harper date
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