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Don Harper

Don Harper

Don Harper has been played over 10 times on NTS, first on 24 January 2013. Don Harper's music has been featured on 10 episodes.

Don Harper (1921 – 30 May 1999) was an Australian composer. Born in Melbourne in 1921, Don Harper showed an interest in music from an early age, learning to play the violin as a child. His formal study began at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music. In later years he would become the successful conductor of one of Australia's most popular big bands as well as being a prolific film and television composer.

In 1963 he emigrated to England, and found himself much in demand for television scores. During his seven-year stay in the country he provided music for World of Sport and Sexton Blake amongst other popular series. However he is probably best remembered for providing music for the classic 1968 Doctor Who serial "The Invasion".

Returning to Australia in 1970, Don Harper would regularly be seen performing on Australian television and on radio as well as in many jazz clubs across the country. He also toured with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. In 1983 Harper took up the position of Head of Jazz Studies at Wollongong University's School of Creative Arts, a position he held until 1990.

His most popular recording was "The Hot Canary".

He died in 1999, aged 78.

In 2005, MF DOOM and Danger Mouse, in their collaborative project DangerDoom, sample Don Harper's "Chamber Pop" and "Thoughtful Popper". Elements of "Dark Earth" from the Dawn of the Dead soundtrack were sampled on "Intro" by Gorillaz from Demon Days, which was also produced by Danger Mouse.

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Don Harper

Don Harper has been played over 10 times on NTS, first on 24 January 2013. Don Harper's music has been featured on 10 episodes.

Don Harper (1921 – 30 May 1999) was an Australian composer. Born in Melbourne in 1921, Don Harper showed an interest in music from an early age, learning to play the violin as a child. His formal study began at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music. In later years he would become the successful conductor of one of Australia's most popular big bands as well as being a prolific film and television composer.

In 1963 he emigrated to England, and found himself much in demand for television scores. During his seven-year stay in the country he provided music for World of Sport and Sexton Blake amongst other popular series. However he is probably best remembered for providing music for the classic 1968 Doctor Who serial "The Invasion".

Returning to Australia in 1970, Don Harper would regularly be seen performing on Australian television and on radio as well as in many jazz clubs across the country. He also toured with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. In 1983 Harper took up the position of Head of Jazz Studies at Wollongong University's School of Creative Arts, a position he held until 1990.

His most popular recording was "The Hot Canary".

He died in 1999, aged 78.

In 2005, MF DOOM and Danger Mouse, in their collaborative project DangerDoom, sample Don Harper's "Chamber Pop" and "Thoughtful Popper". Elements of "Dark Earth" from the Dawn of the Dead soundtrack were sampled on "Intro" by Gorillaz from Demon Days, which was also produced by Danger Mouse.

Original source: Last.fm

Tracks featured on

Most played tracks

Thoughtful Popper
Don Harper
Audio1971
Quest
Harper, Russe, St. George
KPM Music1972
Nightmare
Don Harper
Columbia1974
Effervescence
Harper, Russe, St. George
KPM Music1972
Nightwalker
Harper, Russe, St. George
KPM Music1972
Plodding Power
Harper, Russe, St. George
KPM Music1972
Freeze Frame
Harper, Russe, St. George
KPM Music1972
The Pattern Emerges
Harper, Russe, St. George
KPM Music1972
Liquid Energy (Rhythm Only)
Don Harper, Li De La Russe, Nikki St. George
Glo-Spot2006

Tracks featured on