Chris Harper - Blues Is My Life

New CD Release September 21

New CD
"Four Aces And A Harp"
Release September 21

Featering Jimmy Burns, John Primer, Bob Stroger, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith this CD is a Blues family reunion of sorts. The elder musicians here are all good friends – some of them go back 30 years – but rarely get to see each other unless they pass each other in airports on the way to gigs.

The journey to that reunion began in 2008 with a casual remark guitarist/producer Dave Katzman made to Chris Harper after they’d just recorded another CD: if I were personally going to record a CD of traditional Chicago blues, I’d put the best remaining musicians from the golden years of Chicago blues together in a studio. Do half acoustic tunes to show the Mississippi Delta roots and half electric to show what it became. Chris’s response was as direct as the music on this recording: “Do it.” . . .

New Label SWISSISSIPPI RECORDS

SWISSISSIPPI RECORDS

Swississippi Records represents a hybrid name, adventurous concept and intense advocacy for a classic sound. CEO/Harmonica player/bandleader Chris Harper and Producer/General Manager/guitar player Dave Katzman see their company as a bold 21st century venture designed to utilize state-of-the-art technology and business acumen on behalf of the blues, a music whose roots and lyrical vision continues to inspire fans and performers around the world.

Both men's love for the art form has fueled their involvement in this venture. For 20 years, Switzerland native Harper owned & ran the #1 Convention Display company in Switzerland until he sold the business to pursue his passion for playing blues harmonica. Chicago-born Katzman's lengthy tenure inside the music business has involved everything from artist management to production manager at the original Buddy Guy's Legends to sideman. The Swississippi label name highlights the connection between Harper's European background and Katzman's deep roots and immersion in traditional blues history and activity. (CEO Harper performs/records under the moniker "Swississippi" Chris Harper).

Welcome!

Welcome to Chris Harper's new website. You'll find regular postings of news, photos, songs and details of gigs.

What would life be without the blues?

Here's what Chris Harper thinks. "The blues is like a part of me. I dearly love playing the blues. After going just a few days without the blues, it simply feels as though there's a void in my life. The blues nourishes the heart and the soul. I find the blues liberating. I need the blues. The blues is my life."

Leave your message in the >>> Guestbook