PACIFIC HARP Project is dedicated to exploring new horizons in music for harp/rhythm section. This involves combining traditional harp repertoire and improvisation, jazz and pop with original compositions. Megan Bledsoe Ward plays harp, Noel Okimoto plays vibraphone, Jon Hawes plays bass and Allan Ward plays drums. Pacific Harp Project’s debut album, entitled “Eponymous”, was released in December 2015 to great critical acclaim. You can purchase the album or download it from the store page. The Pacific Harp Project was born out of my doctoral dissertation, The Harp In Jazz and American Pop Music. Jazz has always been a passion of mine, and I have always wanted to play the harp. The harp’s design makes it difficult for jazz musicians to use a lot of the repertoire. Many jazz harpists have achieved success by creating their own jazz music that works well for the harp. Traditional harp music is a genre that has not been explored in an improvisational setting. There are many French impressionist and 20th century harp music pieces that have similar musical elements to the great jazz improvisers. Because it was written specifically for the harp, the harmonies are in line with jazz music. Pacific Harp Project’s goal is to examine standard harp repertoire within a new context that allows for collaboration and improvisation in jazz settings. -Megan from www.pacificharpproject.com
