Born in the United Kingdom, Harper’s musical journey began early, performing in brass bands playing the trumpet and euphonium. At the age of ten, his family moved half way the world to Perth, Western Australia, and his father introduced Harper to the harp. In Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world, there was a thriving blues and folk scene. The blues had a rawness, an honesty and a passion of the soul which spoke to Harper deeply. Then, like every blues lover, Harper began his journey backwards to discover the deeper roots of the music.

 "I think Muddy Waters really hit me hard. There was something incredibly special about his sound, his powerful voice and his songs. I would sing his songs constantly. I also really dug Sonny Boy Williamson II as well. I loved his rhythmic use of his harp. I was also inspired by a pretty wide range of players and styles like Little Walter, Sugar Blue and Stevie Wonder who guide me in my playing. "But Harper did not stop his search with the blues. It was a chance meeting with a Hopi "Dan Running Bear" in Silverton, Colorado, that led him down the path to rediscovering the music of his homeland. Fascinated with the spirituality and culture of the American Natives, he found the same qualities present in the Australian Aborigines of his homeland. On adding the native didgeridoo to his music, Harper says "It is a sound I grew up with, so it seemed natural to add it to my songwriting particularly when the lyrics related to the plight of the Aborigines in Australia. When I added the didgeridoo to the more traditional blues instruments, it worked. The deep woody qualities and its haunting drone seemed to enhance the emotional quality of my stories. The didgeridoo is a spiritual and healing instrument, and it seemed blues music accepted it with open arms."
 
 Prior to his introduction to American audiences, Harper released six albums to great acclaim in his homeland of Australia.  In 1994 he moved to Melbourne, Victoria and released his first album, "Tears of Ice". This was followed by "Yesterday Is Over" in 1996 with his band Blue Devil and "Live At The Soup Kitchen" in 1997 as a soloist.  In 2000, he released "Glass on The Stepping Stone" and "Live At St. Andrew’s" in 2001. In 2003 he released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica  awards and “Album of the Year” honor from US Magazine's Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond. Over the years Harper has received multiple Australian Blues Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Acoustic Artist of the Year.”
 
 His prolific recording career and memorable stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. He’s played in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore and France.  He first started performing in the United States in 1996, and has toured here ten times since.  It was on one of these tours that he caught theattention of Blind Pig, which made him their first international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to the U.S. His animated shows have been well received at blues festivals, world music festivals, and by fans of jam band music.   He was also invited to perform on stage several times with the rock band "Journey" during their tour last year.

 Harper’s first Blind Pig release and American debut, 2005’s Down To The Rhythm, won accolades from the press for its unique sound and virtuoso performances, coupled with Harper’s compositional skill. “Harper is a crack harp player and he plays the instrument with both speed and efficiency, but it would be a mistake to pigeonhole Harper as just an impressive instrumentalist. He is also a solid songwriter, and a soulful singer with a knack for impassioned sincerity,” said All Music Guide.   BluesWax noted, “There is much to enjoy here: clever songwriting, top-notch guitar, powerful rhythms, and some great Harper harp!
 
 ”Harper’s latest release from Blind Pig Records, Day By Day, showcases the results of steady touring over the past several years, and his always unparalleled songwriting. Distorted guitars blend with the unique drone of the didgeridoo to create raw yet eerie sonic textures, somehow sounding primal and contemporary, while Harper’s ace band holds down the groove with a keen second-sense of interplay and dynamics that so many groups strive for. Complementing the music are Harper’s compelling lyrics, portraying personal struggles, spiritual discovery, and modern relevance and topicality. Day By Day is certain to turn the heads of audiences looking for originality, honesty, passion and skill in modern roots music.