Winard Harper facts for kids

Winard Harper (born June 4, 1962) is an amazing American jazz drummer. He is known for his energetic drumming style and has played with many famous musicians. Winard has been making music since the 1980s and continues to perform today.

Winard's Musical Journey

Winard Harper started playing jazz drums in the 1980s. He played with famous musicians like Dexter Gordon and Johnny Griffin. He also spent four years playing with the talented singer Betty Carter. While with Betty Carter, he met Wycliffe Gordon. Winard and Wycliffe would often work together on music projects.

From 1988 to 1993, Winard played in a group called The Harper Brothers. He formed this band with his brother, Philip Harper, who plays the trumpet. Other great musicians like Justin Robinson and Javon Jackson were also part of this group.

After The Harper Brothers band ended, Winard started making his own albums. This means he was the main artist for these recordings. In the early 2000s, he performed with his own group, a sextet (a band with six members). They played at famous places like Lincoln Center in New York City. He also played with Avery Sharpe in 2008. Today, Winard leads his own group called Jeli Posse.

Albums by Winard Harper

Winard Harper has released several albums as the main artist. These albums show his unique drumming style and musical ideas.

Albums as the Main Artist

• Be Yourself (1994)
• Trap Dancer (1998)
• Winard (1999)
• A Time for the Soul (2003)
• Come into the Light (2004)
• Coexist (2012)

Albums with The Harper Brothers

• Remembrance Live at the Village Vanguard (1990)
• Artistry (1991)
• You Can Hide Inside the Music (1992)

Winard as a Guest Musician

Winard Harper has also played drums on many albums for other artists. When he plays with other musicians, he is called a "sideman." Here are some of the artists he has played with:

With Ray Bryant

• Ray's Tribute to His Jazz Piano Friends (1998)
• North of the Border (2001)
• Godfather (2011)

With Betty Carter

• Look What I Got! (1988)
• Betty Carter (1990)
• Betty Carter's Finest Hour (2003)

With Wycliffe Gordon

• The Gospel Truth (2000)
• The Search (2007)

With Etta Jones

• Reverse the Charges (1992)
• At Last (1995)

With David "Fathead" Newman

• Under a Woodstock Moon (1996)
• Chillin' (1999)
• Keep the Spirits Singing (2001)
• The Gift (2003)
• I Remember Brother Ray (2005)

With Houston Person

• Why Not! (1991)
• The Lion and His Pride (1994)
• Christmas with Houston Person and Friends (1994)

With Avery Sharpe

• Dragon Fly (2004)
• Legends & Mentors (2008)
• Autumn Moonlight (2009)
• Avery Sharpe Trio Live (2010)

With Billy Taylor

• Urban Griot (2001)
• Live at IAJE New York (2002)
• Taylor Made at the Kennedy Center (2005)

With Frank Wess

• Surprise, Surprise! (1998)
• Once Is Not Enough (2009)
• Magic 101 (2013)

With Other Musicians

• Monty Alexander, Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2 (2014)
• T. K. Blue, Amour (2017)
• Don Braden, Organic (1995)
• Kenny Drew Jr., Kenny Drew Jr. (1991)
• Chico Freeman, Still Sensitive (1995)
• Sara Lazarus, Give Me the Simple Life (2005)
• Curtis Lundy, Against All Odds (1999)
• Herbie Mann, 65th Birthday Celebration (1997)
• Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, The Carmen McRae Betty Carter Duets (1996)
• Mark Murphy, Some Time Ago (2000)
• Mark Murphy, Links (2001)
• Tete Montoliu, En el San Juan (1996)
• Jimmy Owens, The Monk Project (2011)
• Jimmy Ponder, Come On Down (1991)
• Janis Siegel, I Wish You Love (2002)
• Harvie Swartz, In a Different Light (1990)
• Bross Townsend, I Love Jump Jazz (1995)
• Nancy Wilson, Turned to Blue (2006)
• Steve Turre, The Spirits Up Above (2004)