Todd Harper explores the space between genres: from intimate concise solos to more random large scale percussion events, all with his own lyricism.

Todd Harper spent twenty years as an improvising performer and bandleader. He created ensembles from Cabaret duos to larger latin jazz combos. Harper collaborated with musicians, dancers, film makers, and performance artists. Becoming a parent made Harper redefine himself as primarily a composer.

For a time, Harper went back to school. He studied composition with Dr. William Banfield , and vocal performance with Dr. Alan Bryan. This awakened his passion for writing for the voice.

Harper has written for:
The B- Magic Orchestra,
the Temporal Mechanics Union ( of Arkansas City, Kansas) ,
Zeitgeist,
Kim Sueoka,
The Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra,
The EdgeWild Players.
Carei Thomas and Paul Cantrell
and his own folkloric avante-garde combo, FULL MOON RABBIT.


Since 2002, Harper co-present a yearly piano concert " Keys Please-piano music from three generations" with Carei Thomas and Paul Cantrell.

Two strong conflicting elements show in my music: The first is capturing a small intimate moment captured very precisely. The contrast, is the creation of larger scale "psychological" events, which have elements of chance and "performer invention" within. Both of these ideas are important to my works at this point.

The work I am doing now is partially influenced by my previous musical experiences.Having been an improvising musician for many years, I now have a larger "tool box" of form and "conventions". ( I went back to school!)
It is most fulfilling for me when I am able to work closely with performers over a period of time.
One of my favorite groups to write for is the Temporal Mechanics Union of Arkansas City, Kansas. They are a multi-generational ensembe, based out of Cowley College. Led by anthropologist/percussionist Chris Mayer, this ensemble is grounded in traditional folkloric drumming styles. Upon this, the " mechanics" tackle new music with intensity and focus not often seen in amatuer ensembles. I have written five peices for TMU,and will be writing for them for quite some time.

In contrast, I have been writing very intimate vocal works for Ms.Kim Sueoka. She delivers the works with immense precision, great soul, and a clear, bell-like sound. While some are set for voice and piano, we are exploring works for solo voice. Texts come from poems, as well as obscure police reports from a newspaper somewhere "up north".

PERCUSSION EVENTS
MIgrations for marimba and percussion ensemble ( TMU)
A fluid Thing
Dice Game
Bass Drum Dance
The Girl who was standing still ( for Zeitgest)

JAZZ LEIDER
soprano
Questions-poems by John Minczeski, ( for Kim Sueoka)
Northwoods Police Report
Fishing Poem ( text by Steven Petrini, with violin, djembe)
First Autumn night
baritone
Of time and memory ( text, Arturo Teinken)
Three Autumn poems( text, John Minczeski)

JAZZ ORCHESTRA
A mind is a terrible thing(without a heart)

PIANO
Cooling off, after the heat.
Single celled songs