Everette Harp

In 1997, after the extraordinary success of his first two R&B/contemporary jazz recordings Everette Harp (1992) and Common Ground (1994), the saxophonist released What's Going On, a tribute to Marvin Gaye's classic 1971 album as part of Blue Note's cover series. The Houston-born musician delivered the goods in the customary soulful style which has made him one of the 90s premier and most versatile horn voices. When it came time to refocus on original material, Harp found his creative juices as a composer in overdrive, and the exciting result is Better Days, another picture perfect blend of his smooth romantic leanings and more aggressive R&B edges.

"As always, I drew upon my eclectic nature for this album's very listener-friendly songs as well as the more jazzy and funky tracks," says Harp, who came to national prominence with his weekly stints with The Posse on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in the early 90's. "My main goal is always to show all sides of myself and paint a complete picture of where I am at that moment."

One of the more unique ways Harp achieves this is switching off from soprano to alto to tenor sax, and even leading with EWI where it seems appropriate --different approaches to capture different moods and emotional vibes. While recording his album, Harp found himself looking back--reflecting on the beautiful journey that is his life, past and present. This reflection led him to the album's title Better Days. As he puts it, 'as I reminisce on the past and realize, as time goes by, the knowledge I've gained through my experiences, I've come to see that, although I've enjoyed the past, these are the Better Days."

Joining Harp on Better Days are some of the greatest players in contemporary jazz--guitarists Paul Jackson, Jr., Doc Powell and Marc Antoine; trumpeter Rick Braun; keyboardists Duke, Brian Simpson and Bobby Lyle; bassists Wayman Tisdale, Larry Kimpel and Jimmy Haslip; and drummers Michael White and Will Kennedy.

Harp's deep faith--borne of his being raised in the Baptist church--has always been the driving force of his music, and so keyboardist Michael Bearden's bluesy gospel funk tune "Modern Religion" makes for a perfect opening showcase for Harp's punchy alto work. Harp chose Tisdale's gentle bass sound to provide harmony behind a tender soprano melody on the dreamy sway of "Better Days," while the breezy and soulful "I Just Can't Stop Thinking About You"--written for his young daughter Tessa and given that special lift by Powell and Simpson's guitar and piano contributions, respectively--gives Harp a chance to strut his stuff on the uniquely timbred EWI.

"We Will Answer," written and sung by longtime George Duke associate Wayne Holmes, is another moodswinging gem that ties spirituality in with a personal responsibility to lead faithful lives. The haunting, simmering alto ballad "When Next We Meet" finds Harp in a reflective mode, pondering the recent deaths of two close friends, including R&B saxman George Howard. "It's looking beyond life here to know that someday my friends and I will be on happier terms, reminiscing fondly as we look back from heaven."

After the frisky jamming funk of "Stand Up!" featuring the irresistible trumpet soloing of Rick Braun, Harp returns to the soprano for a steamy late night slow dance tune "For You Always." Rounding out the set are the romantic "Circle of Friends" and the explosive "Mutual Admiration Society," which features a playful interplay between Harp and piano master Bobby Lyle-and the beautiful closer "Norwegian Lillies," with classical guitarist Marc Antoine.

Born and raised in Houston, Everette Harp's most profound early influences--the gospel music he heard at the church where his dad was a minister, and the great jazz performers Hank Crawford, Stanley Turrentine and Grover Washington Jr. he began listening to while playing in high school bands--became the basis of his later solo career. After attending North Texas State, Harp worked for a brief time as an accountant before playing in a handful local bands and picking up studio jingle work.

Harp's wife Jeri urged him to try his luck in Los Angeles in 1988, and Harp's career as a sideman took off from there; after a brief tour with Teena Marie, he traveled internationally with Anita Baker, performed with Sheena Easton and Kenny Loggins and began developing his studio chops behind such artists as Patti Labelle. Harp was signed to Manhattan/Blue Note in 1992 and recorded his self titled debut between tours with George Duke and Marcus Miller.

That album's release led to further amazing developments which established Harp as one of smooth jazz's most popular artists: a date at the Montreux Jazz Festival, a tour with labelmate Rachelle Ferrell, played alongside President Clinton, performing "Your Mama Don't Dance" at the 1993 Inaugural Ball (Clinton borrowed one of Harp's saxes for the occasion!), and then the longterm stint on Arsenio Hall. For the past two years, his sax has been heard performing the theme song for Entertainment Tonight, and the Soul Train theme for the past five years. Harp has also performed/recorded with or for Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Jeffrey Osborne, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Billy Joel, Al Jarreau, After 7, Phil Perry, Go West, Natalie Cole, Chante Moore, Will Downing, John Tesh, Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan, Stanley Clarke, Michael McDonald, Larry Carlton and others.

"I see my music and my career as a gift from God, as though I am simply a conduit with a force working through me to entertain people and make them happy," says Harp. "My spiritual side helps me get in touch with my emotional side, and together, they create the feeling that comes out of my horns."

That feeling has created one of the most dynamic and popular sounds in instrumental music, a sound which reaches its most appealing heights yet on Better Days. One listen to its power and intimacy, and it's clear that Harp considers us a part of his inner circle as well.