ON THE ROAD: Jonathon Harper celebrates 40 years of performance in his Roadworks tour. Photo supplied
Kathy Forsyth
AFTER decades of captivating audiences in New Zealand and abroad, guitarist, singer, and composer Jonathon Harper is set to bring his Roadworks Tour to Whakatāne this weekend.
Harper will be performing at the Church of St George and St John on Sunday night.
Having played concerts in the Eastern Bay before, Harper is excited to be returning as part of his five-city tour, which includes stops in Auckland, Wellington, Whakatāne, Tauranga, and Taupō.
Speaking to the Beacon, Harper said the Roadworks Tour would showcase the best of his extensive musical repertoire.
“It features a lot of my own music, alongside Spanish flamenco and classical pieces I’ve performed over the years. It’s a mix of successful songs that resonate with audiences.”
Reflecting on his prolific career, Harper said, “I’ve done a lot over the years. I’ve played in rock bands, flamenco troupes, and classical guitar shows. I enjoy folk music and jazz, and we’ll be performing a variety of genres at the concert.”
A dedicated musician, Harper has produced five albums and spent 33 years touring full-time, giving over 3000 professional concerts in New Zealand, Australia, England, and Italy. His guitar sonata, Impressions of Rome, has been featured on Radio NZ Concert, and he has appeared on television.
The Roadworks Tour celebrates Harper’s 40-year journey as a full-time concert artist. Throughout his travels, he has met many interesting people and performed with diverse musicians from Italy, Chile, Dalmatia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Bolivia.
This year, Harper also performed several special Mother’s Day shows at various retirement villages.
“I’ve really enjoyed these performances. A lot of the audience knows me, and they make for great audiences because they understand music deeply. You can’t fool them, so you have to bring your best.”
Don’t miss the chance to experience Jonathon Harper’s eclectic and heartfelt performance in Whakatāne this Sunday.
Jonathon Harper Roadworks Tour