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Jessica Harper is a bright new star in children's music with her smooth, silky voice and infectious rhythms brought together in a lively and sophisticated style. But Jessica is no newcomer to the entertainment industry. She is an accomplished actress with numerous appearances and awards in film, television and theater. Her extensive film career includes more than ten features including co-starring roles in Stardust Memories with Woody Allen, Pennies from Heaven with Steve Martin, My Favorite Year with Peter O'Toole and the Brian de Palma classic, Phantom of the Paradise. Jessica also has enjoyed tremendous success on television as represented by her Cable Ace Award for the Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in It's Garry Shandling's Show. She has also guest starred in a variety of television series, miniseries, television movies and talk shows. Her theatrical credits are extensive and include roles in various Broadway and off-Broadway productions including Hair, Dr. Selavy's Magic Theatre and National Anthems with Al Pacino. Other artists, including Bette Midler, have also recorded Jessica's songs. Jessica's entrance into the children's music arena has been celebrated by critics across the nation. Billboard's Moira McCormick called Jessica's debut album, A Wonderful Life, 1994's best kids' recording. A Wonderful Life is full of lovely images, whimsical lyrics and swaying melodies and has won both a Parent's Choice Gold Award and a N.A.P.P.A. (National Association of Parenting Publications) Silver Award. A Wonderful Life has also been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers including Entertainment Weekly, Parenting, Family Fun, Working Mother, Dirty Linen, Billboard and TV Guide's Parent's Guide to Children's Entertainment. In 1995, Jessica followed up her debut with Not a Traditional Christmas, a holiday collection that won a Parent's Choice Gold Award and N.A.P.P.A. Silver Award. This release offers more than the usual collection of holiday fare sweetened for kid consumption. Jessica's creamy alto voice mixes with pop, jazz and reggae influences to deliver spirituals, nursery rhymes and original songs in Jessica's own unique style. Nora's Room, follows Jessica's award-winning trend. This 1996 release was honored with a N.A.P.P.A. Gold Award and the N.A.I.R.D. INDIE Award for Best Children's Album of the Year. Nora's Room opens with the toe-tapping title track and keeps on grooving with 10 more songs spanning calypso, rock 'n roll and other rhythmic genres. This album has once again won the hearts of critics with incredible reviews in Family Fun, Parenting, Sesame Street Parents, Billboard, Pulse! and Specialty Retailer. Jessica delivered a winner again with her 1998 release, 40 Winks, which Lynne Heffley of the Los Angeles Times described as "...simply one of the most lyrically inventive, musically distinguished lullaby albums ever." This collection, which celebrates the wonder of childhood and the joys of bedtime, won the Parent's Choice and N.A.P.P.A.Gold awards as well as an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum award. People magazine featured Jessica, as did Billboard and Parents.com. Harper's creations for children now go beyond the world of music. In addition to 1999's I Forgot My Shoes, her first children's book, Morrow Junior will publish her second book, I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today, in March 2000. Jessica's new release, Rhythm in My Shoes continues her tradition of offering clever lyrics that are empowering and never condescending to children while her melodies and sophisticated production style appeal to those of us in the taller set. Jessica's original music is delightful and will provide your entire family with sweet inspiration and a genuine good time! |
