Walter Eugene Harper was an American jazz pianist and influential nightclub owner.
Harper grew up in the Schenley Heights section of Pittsburgh and was the 6th of 8 children. Harper's father had a business as a contractor, and his mother was a homemaker.
Harper's interest in jazz music was already cemented by the time he reached Schenley High School. He was part of the burgeoning jazz scene in Pittsburgh during the 1940s and 1950s, which produced some of the world's greatest jazz innovators. Harper played valve trombone in the all-city band, but soon switched to piano. He also was a member of the Swinging Five, a jazz group he co-founded with bassist Ray Brown. As teenagers, Harper and Brown would often venture across town to jazz musician Erroll Garner's house to watch him play piano. After graduating from high school in 1944, Harper attended the Pittsburgh Musical Institute and the University of Pittsburgh for 2 years.
Harper had a 10-piece band that performed around the country in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He played many large and small venues and was extremely popular with the college scene at the time. Early on, he gained the nickname "The Prom King" because his band played so many high school and college dates.
After several years of touring, Harper consciously opted for a different lifestyle, and he decided to build his musical career in his home of Pittsburgh. In 1958, Harper's band started a long-standing gig at the popular Crawford Grill in the Hill District. The Crawford Grill became a popular destination, and Harper remained there until 1969 when he opened his own club, Walt Harper's Attic, in downtown Pittsburgh.
In the 1970s, Harper and his band were hired by the owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers as the house band to play at all home games, and they did so until 2002.
Harper's reputation as a musician in the jazz world attracted many of the greatest names in jazz to both of his clubs. Among the many musicians featured at Harper's clubs were Nancy Wilson, Mel Tormé, Dave Brubeck, and countless others.
Harper died from a heart attack on October 25, 2006, at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife, Maggie Harper, and his only daughter from his first marriage, Sharynn Harper.
Information from Wikipedia. Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
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Walter Eugene Harper fue un pianista de jazz estadounidense e influyente propietario de un club nocturno.
Harper creció en el barrio de Schenley Heights de Pittsburgh y fue el sexto de 8 hermanos. El padre de Harper tenía un negocio como contratista y su madre era ama de casa.
El interés de Harper por la música jazz ya estaba cimentado cuando llegó al instituto de Schenley. Formó parte de la floreciente escena jazzística de Pittsburgh durante las décadas de 1940 y 1950, de la que salieron algunos de los más grandes innovadores del jazz mundial. Harper tocaba el trombón de vástago en la banda de la ciudad, pero pronto se pasó al piano. También formó parte de los Swinging Five, un grupo de jazz que cofundó con el bajista Ray Brown. De adolescentes, Harper y Brown solían ir a casa del músico de jazz Erroll Garner para verle tocar el piano. Tras graduarse en el instituto en 1944, Harper asistió durante dos años al Instituto Musical de Pittsburgh y a la Universidad de Pittsburgh.
Harper tenía una banda de 10 músicos que actuó por todo el país a finales de la década de 1940 y principios de la de 1950. Tocó en muchos locales grandes y pequeños y era muy popular en el ambiente universitario de la época. Al principio se ganó el apodo de "El Rey del Baile" porque su banda tocaba en muchos institutos y universidades.
Tras varios años de giras, Harper optó conscientemente por un estilo de vida diferente y decidió desarrollar su carrera musical en su Pittsburgh natal. En 1958, la banda de Harper empezó a tocar en el popular Crawford Grill, en el Hill District. El Crawford Grill se convirtió en un destino popular, y Harper permaneció allí hasta 1969, cuando abrió su propio club, Walt Harper's Attic, en el centro de Pittsburgh.
En la década de 1970, Harper y su banda fueron contratados por los propietarios de los Pittsburgh Steelers como la banda de la casa para tocar en todos los partidos en casa, y así lo hicieron hasta 2002.
La reputación de Harper como músico en el mundo del jazz atrajo a muchos de los grandes nombres del jazz a sus dos clubes. Entre los muchos músicos que actuaron en los clubes de Harper se encontraban Nancy Wilson, Mel Tormé, Dave Brubeck y muchos otros.
Harper murió de un ataque al corazón el 25 de octubre de 2006, a la edad de 80 años. Le sobreviven su esposa, Maggie Harper, y la única hija de su primer matrimonio, Sharynn Harper.
Información de Wikipedia. Enviado por Angela, Miembro #48520699.
Tracks:
1 - Crosstown 05:13
2 - Harper's Ferry 06:29
3 - Hey Miss Jones 03:50
4 - I Remember Clifford 04:57
5 - Molasses 02:58
6 - Satin Doll 05:12
7 - Taste Of Honey 02:50
8 - Tonight 02:40
9 - Transfusion 03:56
10 - Worksong 05:28
Released: 1962
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