When people think harmonica, they don’t think electric. They don’t think soaring melodies over throbbing house and techno. They don’t think of intense riffs over rock and R & B. Most of all, they don’t think it comes from a guy in a light suit dancing around the stage making sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard. Think again and see Hyper Harp
Jeff "Hyper Harp" Grossberg grew up in Chicago, the home of the blues, and was brought up on artists like Little Walter, Corky Siegle, and Sonny Boy Williamson as well as bands like Yes, King Crimson and Cream. His passion for music inspired him to start the piano at an early age, an instrument he still plays and produces on. It was when he was 15 that he decided to take up the harmonica, and by 17 he had already gotten his first pro gig.
Through Corky Siegle, Jeff was introduced to Howard Levy, the man who would eventually teach Jeff how to play the traditional diatonic harmonica as a chromatic instrument. This opened up Jeff to the world of jazz, listening to such greats as Charlie Parker, Miles and Coltrane. Jazz improvisation was thoroughly poured into his head. As he became more prolific on the harmonica Jeff picked up the name "Hyper Harp." It stuck as he became known as a musician whose style was as much jazz as rock. With his lighting speed playing and new creative concepts Jeff was reaching for the stars
After college Jeff took his inspiration on the road and toured the country with his friend and fellow musician, Tino Gonzalas. The tour landed Jeff in L.A. where he studied keyboard at the Dick Grove School of Music and jazz improvisation at the Music Institute (G.I.T.) In L.A. Hyper Harp performed with such legends as Bunny Brunnel (Chick Corea’s bass player), Scott Henderson (Chick, Joe Zowelnal and Tribal Tech guitarist), Jeff Andrews (Step Ahead bassist) and Jimmy Bruno (Jazz guitarist), along with many other renown players. You can catch some examples of Hyper Harp’s ripping solos on Bunny Brunel’s L.A. Zoo, an album that also featured Mike Stern, Vivian Campbell, Brian Auger, John Wackerman and Ray Gomez.
After L.A., Hyper returned to Chicago, performing jazz and blues. He started the all original pop rock band, Another Language, with collaborator and dear friend Tom Chaffee and drummer Todd Suckerman (now in Styx). Together they penned a noteworthy song called "Right Now". Hyper also found a collaborator in singer Paris Delane. The two spawned great new songs and intense stage shows.
From there Hyper found his way into the world of electronic music, finding a nitch in a scene where live instrumentalists are far and few between. Using his years of jazz and rock improv and composition skills, he has risen to the top to become a premier live musician for DJs and producers throughout the United States and the world looking for a sound that is both organic, electronic and different.
Today Hyper Harp can boast a vast resume of people he’s played with and places he’s been. He’s played from Germany to Burning Man’s main stage, from San Francisco’s Love Parade to New Years in Puerto Vallarta. He’s scheduled to return to Mexico and plans on touring Europe with Tino Gonzalas in May. He will also be traveling to France’s Midem and Miami’s Winter Music Conference.
Hyper has played with such names as Umphrey’s McGee and Galactic at Chicago’s The Vic. He accompanied Particle at Burning Man, played live alongside DJ Skip, Roy Davis Jr. and Steve "Silk" Hurley, rocked with Carl Denson at the House of Blues, and was even personally invited by Iggy Pop to join him on at the Metro.
He’s in the works on an upcoming album with Steve "Silk" Hurley. It features Hyper Harp’s passionate riffs over the production of DJs like Roy Davis Jr., DJ Skip and Steve himself. Hyper Harp is also an accomplished producer who’s working on a solo CD that will feature a wide array of electronic sounds with his harmonica at the core of the album.
Hyper Harp plays Hohner Golden Melody Harmonicas customized by Brad Harrison
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