Selected Works
Solo Albums
Fool’s Resolution (2013), all compositions by Colter Harper
Once Upon a Mind (2007), all compositions by Colter Harper
“OCD” Composed by Colter Harper. Released on the album Fool’s Resolution (2013)
New Works / Concerts / Production
“Harmattan” composed by Colter Harper. This song is from the album Live at Studio B (Adhyâropa Records, 2024) by the electro-acoustic Balkan band Bombici
Bombici, “Harmattan" (2024)
Album Link
Works for Solo Guitar
I first encountered the gyil (a xylophone traditionally played in Ghana's Northwestern region) as a student at the University of Ghana in 2000. John Collins, for one of his processes of art classes, invited Kakraba Lobi and Valerie Dee Naranjo to perform for students at the music department. They spoke briefly and then launched into an hour of powerful and mystifying music. The songs had a way of engulfing you with buzzing overtones, mind-twisting ostinatos, and virtuosic improvisation. As a student with Kakraba's son SK, I began to unravel some of the instrument's mystery. It was on several trips to Kakraba's village in the North that I was able to hear the music performed in the contexts of a funeral and witness the powerful role this music plays in celebrating life in the event of a death. I began transcribing several gyil pieces as taught by SK and worked ideas and inspirations from the music into 11 pieces for solo guitar under the guidance of composer Eric Moe. Listen to the first piece below…
“It’s Alright” by Curtis Mayfield. Performed at City of Asylum (2024) with Curtis Lovell (vocals), Cliff Barnes (piano), Denzel Chismar-Oliver (bass), and James Johnson III (drums)
Colter Harper, Curtis Lovell, Cliff Barnes, Denzel Chismar-Oliver, James Johnson III @ City of Asylum (2024)
“Emmre Nhyina Nse” by Osei Korankye from the record Seperewa Music of Ghana (2016) produced, engineered, and mixed by Colter Harper.
“Emmre Nyina Nse”, Osei Korankye, Colter Harper, and Jeff Berman (2017)
Lindsey Horner Trio with Colter Harper and Jeff Berman (2025)
Rusted Root, Stereo Rodeo (Touchy Pegg/Adrenaline/DKE Records) and The Movement (Shanachie Records).
Colter Harper (guitar, percussion, vocals)
Rusted Root, “Martyr” (2011)