A native from Flint, Michigan, Mark is a seasoned guitarist, performer, and multi-platinum award winner, who is introducing yet another side of his creative abilities to the world. Mark began his professional career at the young age of 12. He continued to practice and develop his style while playing with various bands in the Flint area. During this time, Mark had to balance his love for music with his ever-increasing athletic abilities. In the end, when push came to shove, he “leaned” toward the notes. Now the notes have scripted a musical journey that is reflective of his heart and soul.
The early musical influences in his life were as varied and as accomplished as Mark himself is proving to be. Those influences include people such as: George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Al McKay, Phil Upchurch, Kenny Burrell, Lee Ritenour, and Larry Carlton. Through the years Mark was able to gather influences from different genres of music as well. His style is reflective of those influences and can be heard in the music he has contributed to; i.e., Kirk Franklin’s, “The Nu Nation Project”, Tom Braxton’s “Bounce”, and Tower of Power’s “Great American Soul Book”. In addition to these projects, Mark can be heard on many others. Mark has also had a broad live stage presence, having performed with: Kirk Whalum, Toby Keith, Charlie Pride, Ronnie Laws, Yolanda Adams, BeBe Winans, and Phyllis Hyman. As Mark begin to transition his career he spent 6 years as a member of the Wayman Tisdale band. He then went on to be the lead guitarist for the famed funk sensation, Tower of Power. Now Mark is launching his sound with his own band.
The unique sound of Mark can be heard and experienced on his new release, “The Mark Harper Project”. This project captures Mark’s creative, technical, writing, and production abilities. The release offers 11 new songs and fresh arrangements of two classic songs: One Less Bell and Sailing.
Mark is also the leader of The Mark Harper Acoustic Band. The Mark Harper Project and The Mark Harper Acoustic Band are exciting to see and listen to. The Acoustic Band, specializing in Jazz, Latin Jazz, CuBop, and other styles of music, provide the listener raw excellence with great musical imagery. The Mark Harper Project band provides that same imagery through Cool Jazz, Smooth R&B, and wonderful vocal ballads.
Mark says, “To me music soothes and is often a vehicle G-D uses to heal. It is my desire to allow Him to use me as an instrument to provide comfort, joy, and healing in the life of others. I believe it is my purpose in life to reflect all that He has to offer through the gifts and talents He has given me, with the chief one being my guitar.”
Please extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to a guitarist extraordinaire, Mark Harper.
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