Baltimore born Philip Harper started playing trumpet when he was ten years old under the tutelage of his older brother, Danny. Later he studied at Hartt School of Music with Jackie McLean. At the age of 18, Philip moved to New York, where he started working and recording extensively with such musicians as Jimmy Scott, Jimmy McGriff, Betty Carter, Etta Jones, Harry “Sweets” Edison, and Cedar Walton. Between the years 1986 and 1988, Harper was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, with whom he made several live recordings. After leaving the Messengers, he formed a group with his brother, drummer Winard Harper. The Harper Brothers toured throughout the world and made several successful albums for Polygram/Verve. Philip Harper has made over 50 recordings, both as leader – including his solo albums “Soulful Sin” and “The Thirteenth Moon” on Muse Records – and as a sideman, earning him space on numerous jazz playlists and critic polls over the decades. Recently, Harper has been living in Europe as well as in the USA, playing with Benny Golson, Cedar Walton and the Mingus Big Band.