Maria-Christina Harper began playing the harp in high school, and it immediately became apparent that she had a natural talent for it. Harper received opportunities to perform with the Athens Symphony Orchestra even before she finished school. And while she reached greater heights while advancing in her classical training, something seemed missing. The rules and rigidity of classical music stifled her creative spirit.

Harper realised her true calling when she moved to London to study music therapy. She was encouraged to experiment with her harp, and Maria-Christina discovered her passion for composing. Since then, she released a solo album titled Gluten-free and a fantastic album named Draft in collaboration with lute player Yiagos Hairetis.

As she explored composition further, Maria-Christina developed a deep appreciation for the freedom that jazz music offered. Her new studio album, Passing By, is the most ambitious project Maria-Christina has led so far. In it, she pays homage to her Greek roots and Egyptian ancestry by infusing her spiritual jazz compositions with traditional music. Harper is joined on the album by drummer Evan Jenkins and saxophonist Josephine Davies.

The opening track, East Hill Meditation, is a delightfully soothing and poignant piece. We get a taste of her penchant for innovation as she generates strumming, clicking and rattling harmonies that push the boundaries of our stereotypical idea of the harp.

However, In Cairo/Grandma’s Coat is the first true beauty on this album. The highlight of the piece is Josephine Davies’ virtuosic yet soulful saxophone melodies that ease and intrigue you at the same time. Harper’s attempt to blend traditional music into jazz is evident in the Mediterranean chords and melodies she plays while alternating between lead and rhythm. Harper states that the inspiration for the title came from a handmade coat made of Egyptian golden thread passed down to her by her grandmother.

The title track, Passing By, utilises the electric harp to perfection by sustaining the high notes without letting them fade away, creating an almost ethereal effect. Harper mentioned that the title alludes to the fact that we are all passing through life as a small part of this vast universe. Perhaps the short, sweet, and light tunes on Passing By allude to the many beautiful lives that seem fleeting when viewed from a cosmic scale.

The final track, Standing Alone, is a mellow and melancholy affair, starting with an oriental-sounding harp intro before giving way to a smooth saxophone solo. Harper and Davies take turns tugging at your heartstrings on this track. If the spirit’s solitude in the darkness of space could be expressed through music, Standing Alone would be that piece.

On Passing By, Harper set out to expand the horizons of her harp, playing along with her Greek and Egyptian heritage. But the product is far more than a simple musical experiment. It explores the breadth of human emotion and touches your spirit.