Britt Music & Arts Festival Live Concert: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals

Ben Harper is one of the premiere songwriters of his generation. He is also one of the most versatile and brave songwriters, fearlessly working in a cross-section of genres, ranging from pop, reggae and soul, to blues, rock, funk and folk. He has recorded 18 studio albums and amassed a worldwide following having sold over 16 million records worldwide and 3 Grammy Awards.

Ben was born on October 28, 1969. While his music and career embody the sonic bravery, brilliance, lyrical honesty and social activism of that pivotal time, Harper adds his unique modern day cultural awareness brining music with social conscience into the now, reflected in the 2023 nomination for the newly minted Grammy Special Merit Award for “Best Song For Social Change.”

His three Grammys include “Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album,” “Best Pop Instrumental Performance” and “Best Blues Album,” while being nominated eight times for “Best Gospel Performance,” “Best Pop Instrumental Performance,” “Best Music Film,” “Best Traditional Blues Album” and most recently in 2023 for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” Not to mention wins for NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Gospel Artist” and the Blues Foundation “Song of the Year.”

In 2022 Harper performed a string of 12 sold-out nights at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA with hit sensation Harry Styles. The pair had previously collaborated on Styles’ Grammy-winning Album of the Year “Harry’s House.” Ben played guitar on “Boyfriends.”

He has written songs for Mavis Staples, Natalie Maines, Tom Morello, Taj Mahal, Rickie Lee Jones, Charlie Musselwhite, Solomon Burke and The Blind Boys of Alabama. His studio recording credits feature Harry Styles, Keith Richards, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, John Lee Hooker, Ringo Starr and Ziggy Marley (just to name a few) and include live performances with Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles and many more.

Harper’s latest album “Wide Open Light” dropped in June 2023 including “Yard Sale,” a duet with Jack Johnson. It followed up the political and personally revealing, fearless and soulful Grammy-nominated “Bloodline Maintenance.”