Joel Harper

Growing up in an artistic household, Joel Harper was encouraged to express himself through music and writing. Now, as an accomplished writer, musician, and music teacher, Joel supports his love of self-expression and discovery by managing his publishing house, Freedom Three Publishing, and working with various local, national, and international environmental organizations and initiatives advocating for marine conservation. Joel has independently published four books. Restless Spirit: The Eyes of a Child (February 2003) is a collection of Joel's poems and photographs, accompanied by guest illustrators, that illuminates his personal journey and interaction with the world around him. All the Way to the Ocean (February 2006) inspires children and adults around the world to protect the marine environment and stop pollution from entering storm drains and local waterways that we now know lead 'all the way to the ocean.' It has been translated into Mandarin and Spanish. It was recently adapted into an animated short film featuring Marcia Cross, Xavier Rudd, and Amy Smart, and music by Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, and Burning Spear. Available now on Youtube. https://youtu.be/sZW2ByM623g Sea Change (April 2015), is about a child's reaction to the marine litter she discovers while playing on the sandy shore. To bring attention to the problem she creates an art project using the trash she finds on the beach and brings her creation to her school classroom, inspiring a schoolwide beach clean-up. Joel's fourth and most recent book, Frankie Finds the Blues (foreword by Taj Mahal w/ a percentage of proceeds benefitting the Playing for Change Foundation) follows Frankie and a night out to a blues concert with his grandmother–– Little does he know, that night ignites his passion for learning to play the blues. Along the way, an afternoon in the park opens a door for Frankie that proves to be life-changing. He learns to play guitar and discovers the roots of the blues and its profound influence on popular music. Joel currently resides in France with his wife and three children.