Instrumental Pop
Instrument: Sax (Soprano), Sax (Alto), Saxophone
Representative Albums: "Everette Harp", "Common Ground", "My Inspiration
Biography
An emotional R&B-oriented saxophonist, Everette Harp graduated from North Texas State University and played locally in Houston during 1981-1988, becoming a studio musician. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles and was soon playing in major R&B bands (including those of Anita Baker, Sheena Easton, and Kenny Loggins). In 1991, Harp toured with George Duke and Marcus Miller, and recorded his debut for Manhattan. In 1992, he toured with Rachelle Ferrell, and two years later his second album (for Blue Note Contemporary) was released; the Marvin Gaye tribute What's Going On, his contribution to the Blue Note Cover Series, followed in 1997, trailed a year later by Better Days. For the Love was released three years later. The popular Everette Harp's background is in gospel and R&B, but he sometimes displays the ability to improvise. He has remained active releasing such albums as For the Love in 2000, All for You in 2004, In the Moment in 2006, and My Inspiration in 2007. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Everette Harp started playing piano at two and began practicing saxophone at the age of four. The youngest of the eight children of a minister, gospel music was one of Harp's earliest influences. Harp started playing jazz in high school, and graduated from North Texas State University with a music major in the early 1980s. While there he joined Phi Beta Sigma. Working as an accountant for a short time, Harp played in local Houston bands, most notably a local jazz/funk group called The Franchise, which released its own album locally, which included the first recording of Harp's "There's Always Hope" in 1987. Harp moved to Los Angeles in 1988. He immediately toured briefly with Teena Marie, and then internationally with Anita Baker. In 1992, Harp released his self-titled solo debut.