Roderick Harper

Biography

Roderick Harper, born on July 20, 1966, in Washington, D.C., as the only child of doctors Ronald and Geraldine Harper, began singing almost as soon as he could speak and learned violin and trombone in elementary school, later adding clarinet and guitar in middle and high school. His introduction to jazz came through Wynton Marsalis's 'Think Of One,' which led him to explore his father's record collection. He received his first formal jazz training from John Malachi, Sarah Vaughan's accompanist, and attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Jazz Studies, where he formed groups including one with Alvin Batiste and the Jazzstranauts, bringing him to the attention of Ellis Marsalis.[1][2][5]

Harper's career took off with performances alongside Ellis Marsalis's quartet and luminaries like Jon Hendricks, Betty Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, the Marsalis family, Joe Sample, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. A defining moment was when Jon Hendricks invited him onstage for Thelonious Monk’s 'Rhythmaning,' marking his conversion to jazz. Now based in New Orleans, he blends vocal jazz with R&B, as heard in albums like 'Beautiful Beginnings' (produced by Delfeayo Marsalis), 'The Essence Of…' (produced by Nicholas Payton), 'Evolving' (featuring Ellis Marsalis and Donald Harrison), '2702' (produced by Jamison Ross), and R&B projects 'Back To Love' and its sequel, which charted highly overseas. His smooth, serious style draws praise from critics like Chicago Sun-Times' Lloyd Sachs and Baton Rouge Morning Advocate's Rod Dreher.[1][2][3][4]

Harper's legacy endures through his versatile interpretations, live recordings capturing raw emotion, and nods to influences in songs like 'Salty Dog' (Alvin Batiste), 'Never Let Me Go' (featuring Ellis Marsalis's final recording), and 'Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love' (Mingus). His media appearances include HBO’s 'Soul of the Game,' BET’s 'BlacKout,' and commercials, reflecting a career of evolution and self-discovery in jazz and beyond.[2][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Harper's jazz journey ignited at age around 15 with Wynton Marsalis's 'Think Of One,' which 'scared' him into exploring his father's records.
• Jon Hendricks spontaneously invited him onstage for Thelonious Monk’s 'Rhythmaning,' a pivotal moment JazzTimes called his 'able convert to jazz.'
• 'Evolving' features one of Ellis Marsalis's final recordings on 'Never Let Me Go,' serving as a farewell.
• His R&B EP 'Back To Love' spawned overseas hits including a #1 single 'Got To,' while jazz album '2702' hit #4 on Amazon UK Jazz Charts.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Malachi - First formal jazz training as Sarah Vaughan's accompanist (Early jazz education) [Pre-college]
• Alvin Batiste - Clarinetist and teacher at Southern University; formed group Jazzstranauts (Salty Dog (covered on Evolving)) [College years, Baton Rouge]
• Ellis Marsalis - Jazz pianist who recommended and featured him in quartet; major influence (Evolving (final recording on Never Let Me Go), Perfect Imperfections, E-VOL-VING) [1980s onward]

Key Collaborators

• Jon Hendricks - Vocalist who invited him onstage, launching jazz career (Rhythmaning (Thelonious Monk)) [Early career]
• Delfeayo Marsalis - Producer (Beautiful Beginnings) [Early recordings]
• Nicholas Payton - Grammy-winning producer and collaborator (The Essence Of…) [Recordings]
• Donald Harrison - Saxophonist on albums (Evolving, Perfect Imperfections) [2010s-2020s]
• Jamison Ross - Vocalist/drummer and Grammy nominee producer (2702) [Recent]
• Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra - Performed with the ensemble (Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love (covered on Evolving)) [Career performances]

External Links

• Spotify