Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast (Neil Warren)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Feb 2022 | Jim Conway interview | 00:59:59 | |
Jim Conway joins me on episode 55. Playing chromatic with Captain Matchbox: Conway Brothers Hiccups Orchestra - Dinosaur Songs: Playing I Wish You Would with The Backsliders: Sydney Paralympics Opening Ceremony: Documentary film on Jim: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 19 Feb 2022 | RJ Mischo interview | 00:59:59 | |
RJ Mischo joins me on episode 56. Videos: Song from Mojo Buford Harpslinger album: Song from Blues Deluxe album: Song from I Hope You’re Satisfied album: Playing harmonica on a rack using RackIt: RJ teaching at Harmonica Collective: Playing with Junior Watson in 2021: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 11 Mar 2022 | Mathias Heise interview | 00:59:57 | |
Mathias Heise joins me on episode 57.
https://www.mathiasheiseq.com/ Suzuki chromatic bass harmonica: Clockwork delay pedal: Hall of Fame reverb pedal:
Spain with Phillip Achille: ShuffleFunk with effects pedal: Playing in a duo with guitarist Pelle von Bulow: HUK 2017: Killer Joe Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 29 Mar 2022 | Bertram Becher interview | 00:58:30 | |
Bertram Becher joins me on episode 58. Bertram is the Product Manager at Seydel harmonicas. He first landed this dream job when he made a name for himself by creating a software tutorial called The Interactive Blues Harp Workshop. Bertram tells us about the history of Seydel and how their use of stainless steel reeds led to the creation of the ‘new’ Seydel around 2007. As Product Manager for harmonicas he has a very varied role, including creating web pages, selecting pitches for tunings and helping customers directly with their harmonica needs. And being the harp player in the Boogielicious band, Bertram understands the needs of the gigging harmonica player. Bertram then talks us through the range of harmonicas offered by Seydel, including the diatonic, chromatics and tremolos, as well as other offerings from the oldest harmonica manufacturer around today.
Bertram’s band: Seydel Artists Page: Mundharmonica Live festival: Seydel Open: Little W effects pedal: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 14 Apr 2022 | Gerhard Mueller interview | 00:59:40 | |
Gerhard Mueller joins me on episode 59. Gerhard is the Product Manager for Hohner harmonicas, a role he has held for 28 years. His father worked as a gardener at the Hohner factory in Trossingen, and as well as getting his son harmonica lessons, he even had a hand in helping Gerhard land his dream job at Hohner. Gerhard talks us through the fascinating history of Hohner and how it was established as the leading harmonica brand in the world having sold over 1 billion harmonicas since the company began. Gerhard tells us all about Hohner’s harmonica offerings as well as some of the accessories offered and the yearly events hosted in Trossingen. Gerhard is also a fine chromatic player himself, having been part of the Hohnerklang Orchestra in Trossingen for over 25 years, he also regularly performs in his harmonica quartet Harmonicamento.
Trossingen harmonica museum: Marine Band 125 in 2021: Harmonicamento quartet: Toots Thielemans 100th birthday concert: Other Toots 100th birthday celebrations in Brussels: Hohner endorsees: CShop for parts: Harmonica Masters Workshop, happening in June 2022:
Harpin’ By The Sea Hohner presentation (including Trossingen Factory Tour): Harmonicamento at SPAH in 2011: Steve Baker discussing the HB52 microphone:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 04 May 2022 | Wade Schuman interview | 00:59:40 | |
Wade Schuman joins me on episode 60. Wade is the singer / songwriter and leader, and of course harmonica player, of the New York based 8-piece band, Hazmat Modine, with the harmonica playing a pivotal role in the sound of such a big band. In fact, there is often a second harmonica player in the band. Wade absorbed many musical genres from a young age, which helped shape the eclectic styles of music played by Hazmat Modine, from African, Asian, Klezmer, Caribbean, all with an American roots core. The band has released five albums, with another in the pipeline. Wade started out learning pre-war harmonica, an approach he has integrated so well into the big band line-up. And he was a central part of the New York harmonica scene in the early 1990s, mixing with many of players who have gone on to establish themselves as the leading players in the harmonica community of today.
Yazoo album of 1920s & 30s harmonica: Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers book by Kim Field: Pat. Missin website: Hog2 Octave pedal: European tour 2022: Videos: Live at the BBC: Outdoor concert filmed for the Nobel Laureate Committee: Solo piece at Stockholm Jazz festival:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 10 May 2022 | Will Wilde interview | 00:59:51 | |
Will Wilde joins me on episode 61. A sixteen year old Will stole his first harmonica while at a party and proceeded to put the rock into the instrument. He first started performing with his sister, Dani, as the harmonica player in her band. But Will has always had ideas of his own and soon formed his own band, with elements of rock and a heavy, driving blues style. Will has a very active YouTube channel, with lots of tuition videos and great performances, such as playing the Free Bird guitar solo on harmonica, as well as collaborations with other harmonica players. Will has come up with his own Wilde tuned harmonicas, placing the second position root notes in the top two octaves as draw notes, which really opens up the top end. Seydel manufacture these harmonicas. Watch out for Will’s new album, with a new band, coming out later this year, which will see Will move move towards the genre of rock. (select the Chapter Markers to select different sections of the podcast) Wilde Tuned harmonica: EuroBlues week: Will’s online store:
Lynyrd Skynryd’s Free Bird solo: YouTube tuition videos: Parisienne Walkways video: YouTube collaboration with Erin Oberg: Pet Got The Blues Advert: Wilde Tuning Introductory lessons for standard and minor tuned: Progressive Metal - Phrygian Dominant scale:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 27 May 2022 | Paul Butterfield retrospective, with Tom Ellis | 00:59:59 | |
Tom Ellis joins me on episode 62 for something a little bit different as we do a retrospective of the legendary Paul Butterfield, with Tom our resident expert. Born in 1942 in Chicago, Butterfield frequented many of the South Side blues clubs located there and even had the audacity to hire Howling Wolf’s rhythm section before going on to record his seminal album ‘The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’. His high energy form of blues launched him on the scene and he quickly followed this with the genre busting East West album, with the band evolving further in the following albums by incorporating horns. Butter moved to Woodstock and formed Better Days. He also appeared in some notable sideman roles, including The Last Waltz concert with The Band. Butterfield has left us a tremendous body of work. He helped bring blues to the mainstream and created his own sound on harmonica that is as influential as any of the classic harmonica players.
Tom’s Blues Access magazine articles on Butterfield: East West Live album review: Horn From The Heart documentary: Homespun instructional material: Videos: Performing at Woodstock in 1969: Mystery Train with The Band: Playing with Muddy Waters: Performing with BB King, Eric Clapton, Steve Ray Vaughan: 2015 Hall of Fame Induction, with Jason Ricci: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 10 Jun 2022 | Jens Bunge interview | 00:59:59 | |
Jens Bunge joins me on episode 63. Jens is a German chromatic player who started out playing the tremolo, before discovering Stevie Wonder. He then found Toots Thielemans and he started teaching himself jazz by ear and joined the local big band. He released his first album in 1991 with members of this band, and has since released a number of other albums of mostly original material, as well as guesting on albums by other artists. Jens has travelled extensively, particular in Asia, where he has tapped into the burgeoning chromatic harmonic scene there, and has been invited to play at numerous concerts and the Asian harmonica festivals. Jens is also appearing at the HarmonicaUK Chromatic Weekend June 18/19, 2022.
Discography: Soundcloud for more of Jens’ recordings: Hohner ‘Masters of the Harmonica’: HarmonicaUK Chromatic Weekend: That Misty Red Beast played by Jens: Silent Dreams: Tribute to Toots & Bill with Andreas Hertel trio: 2016 HarmonicaUK festival with Chris Collis:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 23 Jun 2022 | William Clarke retrospective, with Paul Barry | 01:00:00 | |
Paul Barry joins me on episode 64. Paul is our resident expert on William Clarke, and is currently writing a biography about him. Bill (as he was known to his friends) was born in a suburb of Los Angeles, and starting going to the blues clubs in the south of the city, age 17. Bill met his great inspiration, George ‘Harmonica’ Smith, in 1977, with George showing Bill how to play that big old chromatic harmonica . Bill released his first album in 1978, with other albums following where he always featured original material. He then signed for Alligator records in 1990, releasing his superb album: Blowin’ Like Hell. The four albums he released with Alligator gave Bill the chance to fully shape the sound he had been developing, influenced by jazz players and including a horn section. Sadly Bill passed away at age 45, but he has still left us with an essential body of work for both diatonic and chromatic blues harmonica.
Paul Barry’s band website: LA newspaper interview with Bill 1991: Tom Ellis: William Clarke Memorial article in Blues Access magazine: Bob Corritore: William Clarke Remembered photo gallery: Interview with his wife: Jeanette Clarke-Lodovici HarpTranscripts: for transcription of Blowin' The Family Jewels: (under 'G harmonica') Videos: William Clarke playing Lollipop Mama: William Clarke playing Pawnshop Bound: William Clarke playing on Bro Matt’s Bluez Shift: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 15 Jul 2022 | Joe Powers interview | 00:59:58 | |
Joe Powers joins me on episode 65. Joe started out playing diatonic harmonica along with blues records as a teenager, before deciding to study music composition at college, taking up the chromatic there. Joe’s passion for dancing led him to Argentina and tango music, where he has become the current leading exponent on harmonica. He believes the chromatic harmonica is the perfect instrument for tango music, and talks us through how to play this captivating genre. Although known as the ‘tango harmonica guy’, Joe also loves to play many other styles of music on the harmonica, as demonstrated across his albums and live performances, including classical pieces with full orchestras. And other the pandemic Joe has put together his very own teaching platform.
Email Joe at: Facebook page: Buy Joe’s music here: Harmonica Path teaching:
Sennheiser Wireless system: TC Helicon Mic Mechanic 2 pedal:
Joe’s YouTube channel: Takes a dance while playing with the orchestra: Threnody from Gordon Jacob harmonica Suite, performed in Japan: With Jamie Cullum in Tokyo: Playing diatonic overblows with Japense guitarist Yosuke Onuma: Quarantine session with Mexican violinist Arianda Lozano: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 05 Aug 2022 | Joel Andersson interview | 00:59:59 | |
Joel Andersson joins me on episode 66. Joel is an Irish harmonica player from Sweden, while also building one of the best reputations in the business for his harmonica customisation skills. Joel first fell in love with Irish music on the harmonica when he heard Rick Epping’s playing. He spent time in Ireland with Rick, learning both the music and the art of fine tuning harmonicas. Joel went on to release a solo harmonica album: The Irish Harmonica, where he simulates the sound of a fiddle and accordion through the use of techniques such as vamping, octaves and drones. Joel goes on to explain the different levels of service he performs on his custom harmonicas, and how he became a Hohner Affiliated customiser. Joel’s webshop: Joel’s Irish Harmonica site: Mikael Backman website: Sam Hinton: Joel's upcoming workshops and gigs:
Hohner Masters Workshop 2019: Doyle & Andersson: Playing with Brendan Power: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 19 Aug 2022 | DM48 interview with Erik Lekholm and Jason Keene | 00:59:59 | |
Erik Lekholm and Jason Keene join me on episode 67. Where we talk about the innovative DM48 midi chromatic harmonica, designed by Erik initially as a means to practise silently. He posted his creation on a harmonica forum and it soon gained interest, with people eager to purchase it. So Erik and his father started building and sold the first ones in 2017, with the updated version, the DM48X, coming out in 2022 . Jason Keene joins me in the second half of the podcast, to provide the perspective of one of the leading players of the DM48, which he describes as a game changer for his music. Jason talks us through the set-up and the limitless possibilities that this midi chromatic harmonica brings. Jason Keene website: Reviews of the DM48: DM48 User forum: Millioniser 2000: Videos: Erik Lekholm demos some of the capabilities of the DM48: Erik Lekholm explaining the DM48 at the NAMM show, 2020: Brendan Power compares DM48 to HM12 and gives overview of DM48 features: HM12 midi harmonica video from Brendan Power: Jason Keene talking about the DM48 being a ‘game changer’: Jason Keene demoing using the 8K Controller to combine instruments: Laurent Maur playing the DM48 live: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 01 Sep 2022 | Cheryl Arena interview | 00:58:44 | |
Cheryl Arena joins me on episode 68. Cheryl is a blues player and singer from the Boston area. She integrated herself into the local music scene there by setting up a jam session near Berklee college, drawing in the great musicians from there. And then set-up another residency with guest musicians joining the house band. Her deep love for the music has taken Cheryl far and wide, and gave her the opportunity to meet and play with some of her harmonica idols, including Junior Wells. This led to her appearing in two blues documentaries: one about Maxwell Street and another about James Cotton. Cheryl now runs The Harmonica Experience camp twice a year in the home of the blues, Clarkesdale, Mississippi, where she uses her mouth-on (the harmonica) approach.
Gigs: Harmonica Experience teaching camp: Videos: With Big Band: The ‘Harmonica Experience’ overview, with Charlie Musselwhite: Blog on ‘The Harmonica Experience’: Greasy Gravy on chromatic: Stormy Weather: Off The Wall: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 16 Sep 2022 | Herbert Quelle interview | 00:59:06 | |
Herbert Quelle joins me on episode 69. Herbert is a German who worked as a diplomat for 40 years. This included 10 years as the German Consul in the US, where he met several distinguished harmonica names. With a deep interest in the harmonica, Herbert has researched the instrument to great depth, using this information to litter facts into his two fictional works centred on our beloved instrument. He tells us of the huge export of harmonicas from Germany to the US, and how the early marketing often described harmonicas as toys. Herbert regularly makes readings from his books, with some in this podcast episode.
Herbert’s website: Monika’s Blues book: Harmonica History article for Harmonica Happenings magazine: Early harmonica recordings by The Archivist (Roger Trobridge), introduced by Joe Filisko: Adam Gussow book: Pat Missin’s recordings of Arthur Turelly and Pete Hampton: Herbert playing the German National Anthem: Mundharmonika Live (Seydel harmonica convention): Videos: Herbert’s YouTube Channel: A German American Love Story (Harmonica exports to the US): Herbert playing I Feel Free:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 28 Sep 2022 | Ricky Cool interview | 01:00:00 | |
Ricky Cool joins me on episode 70. Ricky hails from the Birmingham area of the UK, and drew great inspiration asa teenager from the American folk festivals which brought some harmonica greats to the city. Under his alter ego Ricky Cool, he went on to lead several successful rhythm and blues band, with Jamaican music also brought into the set. He also played harmonica in a band with Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant! Ricky played harmonica and saxophone in most of these bands and this combination of instruments has led to his recent series of excellent YouTube videos called ‘Mississippi Saxophone’. In these videos he picks out some great horn lines and shows how to play them on harmonica.
Ricky Cool and the In Crowd:
Ricky’s YouTube Channel: Ricky Cool and The Icebergs: Playing at NHL festival in 1988: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 14 Oct 2022 | Juzzie Smith interview | 00:59:59 | |
Juzzie Smith joins me on episode 71. Juzzie is an Australian who has a one-man band act with the harmonica pivotal to the sound. He has had over 200 million views of his online videos, starting out when a passer-by recorded him busking at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. Juzzie started his one-man band after playing as the harp player in a blues band, and then teaching guitar and harmonica. This gave him a great foundation to lay down the rhythms for his self-penned laid-back bluesy folk. He plays up to six instruments at a time, including percussion juggling balls. Juzzie has been a regular at music festivals around the world and has produced his own music and video content in his home in Ocean Shore. Percussion juggling balls; Press Play and Blow Away tuition course:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival appearance: Juggling percussion: Keep Life Simple Beatbox harmonica: Jamming video: Juzzie’s ‘My Coolest Harmonica Solo’: Taking Time Out: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 27 Oct 2022 | Paul Reddick interview | 00:59:52 | |
Paul Reddick joins me on episode 72. Paul is a singer, songwriter and harmonica player based in Toronto, Canada. He rose to prominence with his band: Paul Reddick and the Sidemen in the 1990s. Paul describes himself as not a typical blues harmonica player, often using his sparse notes with heavy delay, while also making the use of complex patterns to build interesting rhythms. Paul developed his songwriting approach using the structure of poetry, and his insightful and thoughtful blues lyrics have earned him the title of the Poet Laureate of the Blues, including winning the Maple Blues Award for songwriter of the year for his album Sugarbird in 2009. Lyrics: Styrmon El Capistan delay pedal:
Blue Eventide (Official Music Video): Mourning Dove: Luna Moth and Butterfly: Paul Reddick & The Gamblers - One More Day:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 12 Nov 2022 | Adam Gussow interview | 00:59:59 | |
Adam Gussow joins me on episode 73.
Satan & Adam documentary: Pete Farmer kick drums and harmonica holders:
U2's Rattle and Hum clip of Satan and Adam: Ronnie Shellist ‘Funky Blues Harmonica’: Gussow's classic blues harmonica videos: Modern Blues Harmonica YouTube channel: YouTube video teaching Sunshine of Your Love: Adam busking solo: Crossroads video: Sir Rod and the Blues Doctors: What’d I Say:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 26 Nov 2022 | Richard Hunter interview | 01:00:00 | |
Richard Hunter joins me on episode 74. Richard has immersed himself in harmonica ever since he first picked it up at age 15 and has been pushing the boundaries of the instrument ever since. His first release was a solo acoustic harmonica album, composing most of the songs himself and making extensive use of alternate tunings and counterpoint, followed up by a second album along the same lines. Richard is a true innovator of using effects with harmonica and has created some great sounds using them on his later two albums, including the use of Digitech multi-effect pedals, for which he has created patch sets that are available to download from his website. Richard is also the author of one of the first harmonica transcription books: Jazz Harp, that was released in the 1990s, becoming a staple publication on many a harmonica players’ shelves.
Chris Turner: The Lucky One posts: Solo acoustic harmonica tracks to buy: Tunings used on solo recordings: The Lucky One breakdown of each song: DaBell harmonicas: Videos: Put The Lever Down, from 1982: Recent Electric work:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 09 Dec 2022 | Laurent Maur interview | 01:00:00 | |
Laurent Maur joins me on episode 75. Laurent is a jazz chromatic player from France. He first started learning diatonic before moving on to the chromatic to pursue his love of jazz music. He had some lessons with the French classical chromatic player, Claude Garden, helping to advance his technique. Laurent played with a few different bands, touring and recording albums with them before releasing two albums under his own name, and two with the Youpi Quartet. Laurent teamed up with the flute player from this quartet to release his most recent album, of duets with flute. Laurent makes use of different harmonicas beyond the chromatic and occasional diatonic, playing the recently released Suzuki bass and chord harmonicas as well as being one of the leading exponents of the DM48 midi chromatic harmonica.
Laurent’s website: JJ Milteau Method for Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonica tuition book: Suzuki SSCH-56: Compact Chord & S-48B (Bass): Children’s show: The true Story of the Tchepperpou Midi controller foot pedal: La Cambiada with Orlando Pole: Duo with Emilie Calme in Sunside Jazz Club, Paris: Tuition video on using the Dorian scale: Children’s show teaser: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 20 Dec 2022 | Will Pound interview | 01:00:00 | |
Will Pound joins me on episode 76. Bandcamp site: DPA headset microphones: Jingle Bells:
Will Morris dancing: Walsh and Pound at NHL concert in 2009: Appearing on BBC Breakfast TV for Folk Award nomination: Playing with Dame Evelyn Glennie: He’s Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - Hillsborough Charity single: Playing at Buckingham Palace: Facebook video with Jenn Butterworth: Warburton’s advert with Robert Niro:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 11 Jan 2023 | Rob Paparozzi interview | 00:59:59 | |
Rob Paparozzi joins me on episode 77. Rob is based around the New York area where he started out playing in blues bands before quickly adding the chromatic to his harp arsenal. He took lessons with Robert Bonfiglio and then had Toots Thielemans giving him tips over the telephone. The versatility afforded to Rob by playing both diatonic and chromatic allowed him to enjoy a tremendous career on the session scene in New York, playing with many famous names including Dolly Parton, Randy Newman and Whitney Houston. He’s fronted the Original Blues Brothers Band for over twenty years, released a Paul Butterfield tribute album and his own Grammy nominated album.
Rob’s website: Videos: Rob’s YouTube channel: Tommy Morgan playing: Rob performing with Dolly Parton: Rob performing with Randy Newman: Electric Butter: Walking By Myself: Rob’s My Music Masterclass videos: https://www.mymusicmasterclass.com/premiumvideos/rob-paparozzi-harmonica-masterclass-videos-1-2-3-bundle/ Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 27 Jan 2023 | Marko Jovanovic interview | 00:59:59 | |
Marko Jovanovic joins me on episode 78. Marko is a German player with Serbian roots, from where he developed an interest in playing Balkan music on the harmonica, returning to the region to team up with several acts to release some great music in that genre. He’s also an expert blues player, has played chamber music, Arabic music and much more on both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. Marko also runs the successful Berlin Harmonica School, where as well as one-to-one group classes he has some great online video tutorials from players around the world. Offering lessons in a range of different styles, including Irish, Argentinian, and soon to come: more chromatic, flamenco and advanced diatonic harmonica. And he also runs the FEN harmonica festival now too. Berlin Harmonica School: FEN Festival:
Marko’s YouTube channel: Marko playing On The Road Again with Bluesrudy: Playing with Lars Vegas & The Love Gloves: Playing with George Sareski: Playing at Harmonica Masters 2015 Trossingen: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 10 Feb 2023 | Rocky Lok interview | 00:59:59 | |
Rocky Lok joins me on episode 79. Links: Hong Kong Harmonica Association: The first Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition, 2022: The first Hong Kong International Composition Competition for Chromatic Harmonica 2021: Details on the different chromatics Rocky plays: The 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2022: Upcoming King’s Harmonica Quintet show:
Rocky playing solo: The 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2022 concert:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 22 Feb 2023 | Todd Parrott interview | 00:59:58 | |
Todd Parrot joins me on episode 80. Todd is a gospel harmonica player who was inspired to play harmonica after first hearing it in church. He went on to join the church band and has gone on to develop a heavenly tone on the instrument. Todd listened to a lot of country harmonica and was influenced from several players from that genre, including Terry McMillan. Todd released a self-produced solo album, Songs From The Harp, where he learned to play several instruments to accompany his harmonica playing, as well as using other musicians. He is also a sought after session musician, appearing on albums from numerous recording artists. Todd has run the Carolina HarpFest harmonica camp and is a regular at the annual SPAH event. He makes use of alternative tunings, makes his own combs and is an overblow player.
Todd’s website: Carolina Harp Fest: Joe Spiers Custom harmonicas: Hohner Golden Melody live launch stream (23/02/23): Videos: Playing with Buddy Green at SPAH: Playing Amazing Grace at SPAH: Todd reviews Joe Spiers custom harps: Todd playing a Golden Melody: Reviewing Brendan Power’s Slip Slider harmonica: Demonstrates harmonica with 7 draw tuned down:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 09 Mar 2023 | Ben Bouman interview | 00:59:54 | |
Ben Bouman joins me on episode 81. Ben is a Dutch blues player who always strives for originality in his playing, partly inspired by his admiration for the playing of Paul deLay. Ben’s current band is The Marble Tones, who took their name from the amplifier company, with Ben helping develop their range of harmonica amps.
Ben’s website: Webshop to buy Ben Bouman custom harmonicas: Marble amplifiers: Viola Barends: Seydel festival and harmonica competition: Hohner CBH chromatic: Videos: Paul deLay Harmonica Party: Marble Tones band videos: Ben's Tone in a cup: Viola Barends harmonica orchestra: Ben playing Watermelon Man: Ben playing blues chromatic: Ben gear demo recording, including Pignose amp: The Monkey Speaks His Mind with The Marble Tones:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 24 Mar 2023 | Steve Guyger interview | 00:59:48 | |
Steve Guyger joins me on episode 82. Steve is from the Philadelphia area of the US and he absorbed the blues harmonica players when he first got into playing, with John Lee Williamson a big early inspiration. Steve was also great friends with the late Paul Oscher, making three albums with him. Steve also teamed up with the legendary Jimmy Rogers, over the course of fourteen years.
Blues Harmonica DVD on Hal Leonard: Dennis Gruenling website:
Paul Oscher playing bass harmonica on The Things I Used To Do: Live concert with Excellos: I Can See By Your Eyes song: Rock This House (live at Austrian Blues festival): Sammy Lewis playing in 5th position: Snake Oil live performance (outro song): Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 05 Apr 2023 | Annie Raines interview | 00:59:59 | |
Annie Raines joins me on episode 83. Annie is an early pioneer as a female blues harmonica player. Hailing from the Boston area of the US, she drew on the rich source of harmonica inspiration from nearby Cambridge, regularly attending a jam there in her youth, and meeting many great players and joining the Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra. Annie then teamed-up with her long time musical partner, Paul Rishell, after also meeting him around the Boston area. They have now been performing and recording together for over 30 years, releasing seven albums, and winning a WC Handy award for one of them. Annie has also guested on albums with several other artists, including Pinetop Perkins. Annie teaches harmonica and has released an instructional video, and gives workshops at various harmonica gatherings. John Gindick’s website: Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra: George Mayweather: What I'd Say: Blues Harmonica Blueprint instruction: Tomlin Harmonica School: Videos: Charles Leighton playing In A Sentimental Mood: Canned Heat Blues: from Live In Woodstock DVD: Harmonica UK Virtual Festival 2020: Augusta Blues / Swing week 2013: Duet with John Sebastien:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 19 Apr 2023 | Hendrik Meurkens interview | 00:59:59 | |
Hendrik Meurkens joins me on episode 84. Hendrik's website: Bandcamp site: Hendrik’s album catalogue: Tutorial site:
Hendrick playing vibes: Tribute To Toots concert in Uruguay: Playing with WDR Big Band: Playing at the Blue Note in New York: Sambatropolis with WDR Big Band: Dolores Claiborne movie clip:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 03 May 2023 | Ed Hopwood interview | 00:59:59 | |
Ed Hopwood joins me on episode 85. Links: The Rigmarollers band: Teaching website: Solo recordings on Soundcloud: Mark Harrison albums: Seth Shumate, old-time harmonica player:
Rory McLeod, Love Like A Rock: Solo gig at The Green Note: Ed solo: Born In The Wrong Time: Peter Madcat Ruth playing Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out: Harmonica Barge YouTube site: Cajun music interview with Ed: Country Blues lesson: Cindy, Old-time tune: I Shall Not Be Moved, Gospel song:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 18 May 2023 | Marcos Coll interview | 00:59:26 | |
Marcos Coll joins me on episode 86. Marcos is a Spaniard who has been living in Berlin for the last twenty years. Marcos rose to fame at a young age on the Spanish blues scene playing with the Tonky Blues Band before forming the the Los Reyes del KO band, touring the world and sharing the stage with many famous names. Moving to Berlin in 2004, Marcos became a regular on the vibrant blues scene in Germany and recorded with many great artists. In addition to playing blues, Marcos likes to mix modern beats such as hip hop into the blues, as well as playing traditional Spanish and Latin music, including cutting a Latin song with Charlie Musselwhite. Marcos has an online tuition site called Harp and Soul, has been a judge at the Trossingen World Harmonica Championship and is a regular at Seoul, and other harmonica festivals.
Online tuition website: Videos: With Los Mighty Calacas at World Harmonica Festival 2013: Latin workshop at Hohner masters 2022: Chan Chan song, playing chord harp (and others) also effect part way thru Marcos rapping on basketball anthem: Harp and Soul tuition introduction: Seoul festival, playing with Antonio Serrano: Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | Paul Harrington interview | 00:57:02 | |
Paul Harrington joins me on episode 87. Paul has a long and illustrious recording career, having had great success on the vibrant session scene in Dallas where he recorded on many commercials. He also played on the hit song Timber by rapper Pit Bull, possibly the most listened to song with harmonica in the last decade, with over one billion streams on Spotify. Paul met and performed with many great musicians on the Dallas music scene, becoming the go to harmonica player for famed record producer Phil York, appearing on the NBC Special with comedian Steve Martin, as well as sharing the stage with John Denver and Dolly Parton. Paul released an album in his own name, the Harmonica Soul Serenade, with the song Mercy Mercy Mercy picked out for special praise on Adam Gussow’s YouTube channel. Links:
Texas Blues Runners, Downtown from Sweet Mama album: Adam Gussow reviews Paul’s Mercy Mercy Mercy song: News story by Paul’s nephew on his involvement with Timber song: Norton Buffalo switching between four harmonicas on ‘Runaway’:
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 23 Jun 2023 | Jim Hughes interview 2 | 00:59:58 | |
Jim Hughes joins me (again) on episode 88. Jim is a chromatic player who was last interviewed on the podcast in October 2020, back on episode 26. He is now at the grand age of 93 years young, and he shares the wisdom he has developed over many years of playing the chromatic harmonica. Jim has has become blind since the last interview and after being a life long sight reader has now had to learn how to play by ear. He shares how he has adapted to these new challenges and is finding new joy in playing the harmonica. Recently Jim has unearthed some recordings he made among the thousands he recorded with the BBC, and he talks us through some of the pieces and the approaches he took on the harmonica, and his life as a session musician with the BBC. Serenade Radio: The Archivist harmonica website, from Roger Trobridge: NHL concert 1985: (or 1983)
Adam Glasser in conversation with Jim Hughes, from 2022: Carol Axford playing at NHL concert 2004: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 05 Jul 2023 | Mike Stevens interview | 00:59:59 | |
Mike Stevens joins me on episode 89. Mike is a Canadian who made his name playing Bluegrass harmonica, performing with some of the biggest names in Bluegrass and playing at The Grand Old Opry over 300 times. Mike toured with Bluegrass legends, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, and recently played two songs on harmonica at Jesse’s funeral. Mike won the Canadian Bluegrass artist of the year for five consecutive years, and released a Bluegrass book with Hal Leonard. But Bluegrass isn’t his only genre, also playing Americana, Blues, solo looping, soundscapes and even ballet and West African music. Mike also tells us about synesthesia, a condition which means he sees music in colours and shapes, and how this has impacted his music. On top of all this, Mike has been a leading figure in bringing music to indigenous communities in Canada, distributing some fifty thousands harmonicas to young people.
Artscan Circle: A Walk In My Dream documentary:
Playing at the Grand Old Opry with Jim & Jesse: Playing at Jesse McReynold’s funeral: Playing with Matt Andersen: TED talk on Artscan Circle: bringing music to indigenous communities: Blue Sky music festival presentation: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | Paul Butterfield retrospective, part 2, with Tom Ellis | 00:59:59 | |
Tom Ellis joins me (again) on episode 90. This is part two of the Paul Butterfield retrospective where Tom takes us even deeper into Paul’s career and talks us through more of his incredible output. About how Butter, while paying his due respect to the greats before him, took the blues in a new direction, with his experimentation and innovation. Butter’s music and bands evolved as he developed, with the best musicians joining him to provide a bedrock to some of the greatest harmonica ever recorded. Tom Ellis puts forward a compelling case for Paul Butterfield as the most influential harmonica player ever, with his cultural and societal impact overshadowing even the classic players of the 1950s.
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 04 Aug 2023 | Tom Halchak (Blue Moon Harmonicas) interview | 00:59:59 | |
Tom Halchak joins me on episode 91.
Blue Moon Facebook page: Sonny Terry harmonica collection: Videos: Blue Moon instrumental by Whitt Smith: Range of harps available at Blue Moon: CNC Milling GM wood comb: Jason Ricci video on Blue Moon products he uses: Jason Ricci playing ‘Feel Good Funk’: Custom combs for Big River: Adam Gussow appraisal of 150 of Sonny Terry’s harmonicas: Sonny Terry tribute concert at SPAH 2016:
Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 16 Aug 2023 | Erland Westerstrom interview | 00:59:59 | |
Erland Westerstrom joins me on episode 92.
Contact: Blog: Custom harmonicas for sale: Great resource for traditional Swedish tunes: Audio-Technica ATM350 mic: Videos: From Andas! Album: With Bjorn Gardner: With Vastanvinden trio: Tremolo playing: Graduation concert: Podcast website: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 15 Sep 2023 | Jason Ricci interview: part 1 | 00:59:51 | |
Jason Ricci joins me on episode 93 (and on episode 94) In part one: Jason tells us how he started out in a punk band, with his bandmates suggesting he take up the harmonica. Of course, he took to it quickly, to become quite possibly the leading diatonic harmonica player of his generation.
Patreon page: Tip Jason: Bandcamp: Videos: Jason's YouTube channel: Baby Scratch My Back with the Nick Moss band: Podcast website: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 19 Sep 2023 | Jason Ricci interview: part 2 | 00:59:59 | |
The interview with Jason Ricci continues on episode 94, part 2. Videos: Paul Butterfield induction into the rock ’n roll Hall of Fame: 2023 SPAH concert: Pedal Board (2019): Hip-Hug Her with Bad Kind: Podcast website: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 05 Oct 2023 | Michael Rubin interview | 00:59:53 | |
Michael Rubin joins me on episode 95.
I’ll Worry If I Wanna album: SPAH tribute to Bob Herndon (great Harmonetta player): Mike Caldwell: Album with Christopher Cody Meacham: Videos: YouTube channel: List of YouTube harmonica lessons: Peg O My Heart on Harmonetta: Sophisticated Lady on DM48: Podcast website: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | Paddy Wells interview | 00:59:59 | |
Paddy Wells joins me on episode 96. Paddy is based in the north of England, where he started out as a singer playing a little harp before hearing amplified harmonica, which really turned him on to the instrument. Paddy is also a freelance music journalist, having written regular articles for several music magazines in the UK, including Blues in Britain. He also wrote an article, Blowin’ Off The Dust, for the SPAH magazine. Paddy has also spent some time travelling the US, including sitting in with Jason Ricci, and writing two magazine articles on him. Paddy has played in various bands in the north of England, appearing at festivals and supporting some notable names. His current band is called Dust Radio.
Dust Radio music: Music: Paddy’s article: Blowing Off the Dust: Modern Masters of the Blues Harp: Videos: Lyndon Anderson: Interview with Paddy on the Tim Green Blues show: I’d Rather Go Blind with Poorboy: Problem and The Remedy video: Podcast website: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 02 Nov 2023 | Vitor Lopes interview | 00:59:59 | |
Vitor Lopes joins me on episode 97. Vitor tells us about the history of the harmonica in Brazil, starting out when Hohner opened a factory there in 1923, which later became the Hering factory. The availability of harmonicas in Brazil made the instrument very popular and spawned some tremendous players. In 2008 Vitor was awarded the APCA prize for the best Brazilian musician of the year. He has recorded several Choro albums with his bands, has toured in Europe several times and appears on numerous albums with other musicians. If you want to learn some Choro, Vitor has an online course available so you can play some of this wonderful music on the chromatic harmonica. Soundcloud:
History of harmonica in Brazil:
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| 16 Nov 2023 | The Green Bullet interview | 00:59:59 | |
Michael Pettersen And James Waldron join me on episode 98. Michael is the Director of Corporate History at Shure microphones , and he tells us about the early design of the mic, what it was used for and about how it took years before Shure became aware that it was such an important mic for harmonica players. James runs SimpleMics.com, where he rebuilds vintage harmonica microphones, including for some illustrious customers. James provides a harmonica-centric perspective on the Green Bullet and some detail on what is under the hood of the mic. Both Michael and James help debunk some of the myths about the Green Bullet, as well as sharing their deep knowledge of its element, shell and other inner workings of this most legendary of harmonica microphones. Links Green Bullet mics website: James’ Simple Mics website: Versions of the Green Bullet: Add a volume control and on/off switch: Videos: Podcast website: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | Dennis Gruenling interview | 01:00:00 | |
Dennis Gruenling joins me on episode 99. Dennis is originally from the New York area, where he began his love affair with record collecting, listening to a wide range of music, from country to rhythm and blues and beyond before it all came together when he heard his first harmonica on the great Harp Attack album. Dennis cut his teeth with the support of local harp players before releasing his first album, Jump Time, featuring the jump swing style of his early output. On this, and subsequent albums, Dennis was a trailblazer in making extensive use of amplified low tuned harmonicas. Dennis has gone on to make some great albums across the jump and Chicago blues genres, and currently plays with the Nick Moss band. From an early age Dennis has been renovating vintage microphones, and is now one of the leading providers of vintage mics and amps in the world, via his BadAssHarmonicas website, as well as a huge collection of webinars on all things harmonica. Links: Nick Moss band: Webinars / Membership: Gear used by Dennis: Bands In Town page: Tip Dennis: Videos: Playing Rocker with the Nick Moss band:
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 20 Dec 2023 | Little Walter retrospective | 01:59:12 | |
Episode 100 is a retrospective on the greatest ever blues harmonica player, Marion Walter Jacobs, aka Little Walter. Billy Boy Arnold interview: Kim Field website: Bob Corritore Little Walter photo tribute page: Videos: Ora Nelle Blues, first recording: Playing Walter's Jump with Hound Dog Taylor in 1967: Trailer of Blue Midnight Little Walter biography: She’s 19 Years Old bootleg recording with Sam Lay from 1967: Little Walter’s induction into Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame:
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 05 Jan 2024 | Neil Warren interview | 00:59:59 | |
Tom Ellis interviews Neil Warren on episode 101. Neil started out playing blues harmonica in his hometown of Blackburn (with it’s 4000 holes). He progressed into learning jazz, taking jazz chromatic lessons for several years, and then folk music. Neil currently plays in two bands around his local area, an acoustic act playing blues and folk, and an electric band playing different genres, such as ska and funk and blues, including use of the DM48 midi chromatic. He has won three categories of competitions at the UK National Harmonica League festival and helped organise the Chromatic Weekend festival for them for several years. The discussion then turns to focus on the Happy Hour Harmonica podcast, how it got started, how he sources the people to interview, what the podcast tries to do and some of his own favourite moments from the first 100 episodes. Blair Athol (Scottish folk song): Podcast website: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 19 Jan 2024 | Christian Marsh interview | 00:59:44 | |
Christian Marsh joins me on episode 102. Christian is an Australian who plays both the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. Starting out playing diatonic, Christian drew inspiration from players such as Norton Buffalo and Charlie McCoy, absorbing as much harmonica as he could lay his hands on . He picked the chromatic up a few years later after hearing Toots Thielemans play, and even went on to maintain Larry Adler’s harmonicas while he was touring Australia. Christian is a mainstay on the Australian music scene, having 60 album credits sessions to his name, as well as a number of albums with Dr Goodvibe, and several under his own name, with a new release coming out in January 2024. Christian has also performed a concerto written for harmonica, as well as performing at the Sydney Opera House.
Live with Paul Robert Burton trio:
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 31 Jan 2024 | Konstantin Reinfeld interview | 01:00:00 | |
Konstantin Reinfeld joins me on episode 103. Konstantin is a German who comes from the overblow school of harmonica, studying music at a conservatory and taking lessons from Howard Levy as part of his early development. He released a jazz album at age 18, with two more albums to follow before releasing a classical album played on the diatonic harmonica, for which he won a German Grammy award for classical music. Cinema Paradiso - Love Theme: Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 14 Feb 2024 | Mike Turk interview | 00:59:26 | |
Mike Turk joins me on episode 104. Mike is a Boston-based player who started out playing blues harmonica, inspired by the great Paul Butterfield, before becoming interested in playing jazz on the chromatic. He recorded some session work in New York and recorded through the 1970s with various artists, with many of those tracks available on anthology albums Mike has put out. He released his first solo album, Harmonica Salad, in 1991. Mike went on to record several more albums, with a letter from Toots Thielemans included in the liner notes for Turk’s Works. He also toured Europe and recorded some albums with the Italian band he was working with while in Europe.
Polyphonia harmonica: Great interview with Mike: Videos: Honeydripper film opening credits: Douglas Tate playing at the NHL Festival in 1988 (not on a Renaissance): Mike trio gig from March 2022:
Donations: or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast: | |||
| 29 Feb 2024 | William Clarke retrospective, part 2, with Paul Barry | 00:59:59 | |
Paul Barry joins me again on episode 105, for another look at the life and career of the great William Clarke. Paul has now released his biography: Blowin’ Like Hell: The William Clarke Story, writing it from insights he gained from Bill’s wife Jeanette, and Bill's children, and the musicians who played with him, as well as many others. Bill dedicated his life from the age of sixteen to become the bluesman he dreamed he could be, and he worked extremely hard at it. He honed his craft from woodshedding at home, attending the blues clubs of LA, becoming the protege of George Smith, and pushing himself hard to create his unique voice both vocally and especially on the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. All this despite his personal demons, to become one of the leading players of his generation. Where to buy the biography: Blues Blast magazine review of the William Clarke book: Videos: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 15 Mar 2024 | Eddie Martin interview | 00:59:12 | |
Eddie Martin joins me on episode 106. Eddie has been described as the ambassador of British Blues, having released seventeen albums over his near fifty year career, with many of the songs self-penned by Eddie. He started out as a one-man band, but also performs as part of his own bands too. In either format Eddie makes extensive use of rack harmonica, and is one of the leading players of using a rack, while also playing some hand-held harmonica as well. Eddie gives us some great tips on playing on the rack. Eddie also had a two year spell in the US where he regularly played on Beale St, Memphis and Clarksdale, Mississippi, as well as time playing in Italy. And he regularly teaches at workshops in the UK and Europe.
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 28 Mar 2024 | Yotam Ben-Or interview | 00:59:12 | |
Yotam Ben-Or joins me on episode 107. Yotam is a chromatic player who attended the Tel-Aviv Music Conservatory, making a name for himself on the Israeli music scene before winning a scholarship to study at The New School for Jazz in New York, age 21. Although predominately a jazz player, Yotam is keen to emphasise the diverse range of genres this encapsulates, including world music and South American influences on his music. Yotam has previously released two albums under his own name, with a third coming out in 2025. Many of the songs on these albums are composed by Yotam as he helps to push the chromatic in new and exciting directions.
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 19 Apr 2024 | Roly Platt interview | 00:59:59 | |
Roly Platt joins me on episode 108. Roly is a Canadian player who has recorded countless sessions over his 45 year career. He started out playing in a country band which set the scene for him playing a diverse range of genres throughout that time. Roly has recorded 1700 individual session cuts, with the numerous bands he has played in, and also various film, tv and commercial jingles. Roly ecorded his own album in 2017, Inside Out, where he showcased his versatility by including a range of different types of song. Roly produced and sells the great Harp Wah harmonica mute and later this year he will be releasing a book about his life with the harmonica. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 01 May 2024 | Clint Hoover interview | 00:59:59 | |
Clint Hoover joins me on episode 109. Clint is originally from Minneapolis and has spent a life immersed in music and the harmonica. He’s reached great heights on both the chromatic and the diatonic. Early on he also studied guitar and saxophone and attended a jazz course in New York City where he also took chromatic lessons from Robert Bonfiglio. His eclectic mix of interests has led him to recording albums in genres from pre-war blues to modern jazz, to rock, pop and World Music. His first recorded album was with a mainstream band called The Fontanas back in 1989, with the album release being delayed for thirty four years, coming out in 2023. In-between he’s released jazz albums, jug band music, rock and more, really showcasing his extraordinary talents on both the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. Links: Clint article: ‘My Harmonica Journey’: Get Up Off That Jazzophone: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 08 May 2024 | The Ten Minute Question: part 1 | 00:57:19 | |
Something a little different for episode 110 (and also episode 111 so I can keep the length around the one hour mark). The next two episodes are a compilation of all the ten minute question answers from the series so far, in this, the 110th episode (get it?) Not every episode had a ten minute question, such as the retrospectives, but most did, 96 in fact. So I hope you enjoy listening back to this collection and apply some of the tips and tricks offered by the great players who have been on the podcast so far.
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 18 May 2024 | The Ten Minute Question: part 2 | 00:58:08 | |
Episode 111 is part 2 of the ten minute question, from the remaining podcast guests up until this point. As per the last episode, I’ll say the name of each guest before they respond to the question: “if you had 10 minutes to practise, what would you spend that ten minutes doing”.
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 28 May 2024 | Svang interview | 00:58:42 | |
Harmonica group Svang join me on episode 112. Svang are a harmonica quartet from Finland, who have been performing and recording for over twenty years now. They first formed in 2003 when Jouko was teaching at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and suggested forming a harmonica group with two of his students. The group doesn’t play the typical harmonicas of a harmonica group, with a harmonetta used instead of a chord, and bluesy diatonics used as part of the sound alongside chromatic. Their repertoire includes folk music from Finland and the rest of the world, but is equally influenced by classical music or Finnish tango. They have released ten albums to date, with the latest, Svang Nuevo coming out in 2024 to celebrate their 20 year anniversary.
Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 12 Jun 2024 | Andre Godoy Coelho (and Brendan Power) interview | 00:59:48 | |
Andre Godoy Coelho (and Brendan Power) join me on episode 113. Andre is a Brazilian who relocated to Portugal in 2018, performing and recording two albums with the Rio Grande band in Sao Paulo, before recording a recent album in a duo in Portugal. Andre quickly became interested in harmonica customisation when his first harmonica didn’t quite perform as he wanted. This has turned into a full time business for Andre, who has now teamed up with Brendan Power on his x-reed harmonica range. The partnership has just released the Morbendz, a diatonic with a slide which increases the number of available bends from 8 to 14, providing the missing notes from a standard diatonic, while playing just the same.
Facebook page: Brendan introduction video to Morbendz diatonic: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 29 Jun 2024 | Seth Shumate interview | 00:59:14 | |
Seth Shumate joins me on episode 114. Seth is an Old Timey and pre-war harmonica player originally from Arkansas, now living in Tennessee. Seth has deeply researched the early history of the harmonica and has written an Old Time Harmonica Handbook which contains lots of great information, as well as techniques on how to play authentic Old Timey harmonica using various tongue blocking techniques to add percussive rhythm and to provide self-accompaniment while also playing the melody of the tune. Seth likes to play acoustically, making use of an Edison phonograph cylinder for amplification, and accompanying himself using bones and other instruments, and he’s recently acquired the Masterharp USA tuning table company. Seth plays with The Ozark Highballers band and releases regular videos to his YouTube channel of his playing. Contact Seth: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 13 Jul 2024 | Pat Missin interview | 00:59:59 | |
Pat Missin joins me on episode 115. Pat’s knowledge about the harmonica is unsurpassed, with his website at patmissin.com, a definitive source of information for over twenty years. He gives us an insight into some of this knowledge, starting with how free reed instruments were the predecessor of the harmonica and the questionable history of who actually invented the harmonica as we know it today. We also discuss various harmonica recording firsts, such as the first blues harmonica song recorded, the first second and third position and chromatic recording. Pat was also one of the earlier leading exponents on exploring harmonica tuning schemes and has released some song books for harmonica as well as some on other free reed instruments. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 27 Jul 2024 | Isabella Krapf interview | 00:59:58 | |
Isabella Krapf joins me on episode 116. Videos: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 10 Aug 2024 | Yvonnick Prene interview | 00:59:23 | |
Yvonnick Prene joins me on episode 117. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 24 Aug 2024 | David Barrett interview | 00:59:59 | |
David Barrett joins me on episode 118. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 14 Sep 2024 | Yeore Kim interview | 00:59:59 | |
Yeore Kim joins me on episode 119. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 28 Sep 2024 | Paul deLay retrospective with Grant Dermody, Ross Garren and Pete Dammann | 01:25:59 | |
Grant Dermody, Ross Garren and Pete Dammann join me on episode 120 for a retrospective on Paul DeLay. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 12 Oct 2024 | Jim Zeller interview | 00:58:52 | |
Jim Zeller joins me on episode 121. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 26 Oct 2024 | Ross Garren interview | 00:59:59 | |
Ross Garren joins me again on episode 122. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 09 Nov 2024 | Paul Oscher retrospective, with Jerry Portnoy, Steve Guyger and Louis Erlanger | 01:18:12 | |
Jerry Portnoy, Steve Guyger and Louis Erlanger join me on episode 123, for a retrospective on Paul Oscher. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 23 Nov 2024 | Shima Kobayashi interview | 00:59:08 | |
Shima Kobayashi joins me on episode 124. Links: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 07 Dec 2024 | Sonny Terry retrospective with Paul Lamb, Joe Filisko and Adam Sikora | 01:32:29 | |
Paul Lamb, Joe Filisko and Adam Sikora join me on episode 125, for a retrospective on one of the legends of the diatonic harmonica, Sonny Terry, whose real name was Saunders Terrell. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 21 Dec 2024 | Winslow Yerxa interview | 00:59:58 | |
Winslow Yerxa joins me on episode 126. Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 11 Jan 2025 | Sigmund Groven interview | 01:00:00 | |
Sigmund Groven joins me on episode 127. Links: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 25 Jan 2025 | The harmonica playing of Bob Dylan with Ross Garren, Rob Paparozzi and Liam Ward | 01:31:40 | |
Ross Garren, Rob Paparozzi and Liam Ward join me on episode 128, to discuss the harmonica playing of Bob Dylan. Liam Ward tutorial on Mr Tambourine Man: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 08 Feb 2025 | Corky Siegel interview | 00:59:59 | |
Corky Siegel joins me on episode 129. Corky played was central in the emergence of the popularity of the blues to a white audience. His Siegel-Schwall band gained a residency at Chicago’s Pepper Lounge, sharing the stage with blues giants such as Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters and Little Walter. The band were also part of San Francisco’s 1967 Summer of Love, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin. Corky has a unique place in harmonica history with his blues / classical collaborations. After performing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1966, he has gone on to enjoy a platinum selling classical record, composed numerous blues / classical orchestral pieces, recorded with a Chamber music ensemble and performed with orchestras around the world. Links: Website: https://www.corkymusic.com/ Siegel-Schwall band: https://www.corkymusic.com/siegel-schwall Chamber Blues: https://www.corkymusic.com/chamber-blues Symphonic Blues: https://www.corkymusic.com/symphony Echo Audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Echo-Audiobook/B00VS6N4ZI Corky’s lesson on dynamics: https://www.corkymusic.com/harmonica-lesson Videos: Chamber Blues: https://www.corkymusic.com/video-chamber-blues Lullaby, composition by Dr L Subramaniam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty1ri62uBuU Corky playing with Howard Levy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjnYE-jIprc Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 22 Feb 2025 | Mikael Backman interview | 00:59:59 | |
Mikael Backman joins me on episode 130. Mikael is from Sweden where he started playing blues harmonica, recording six albums with the band Ramblin’ Minds. He then joined the band John Henry. Initially a bluegrass band, they went on to play country, honky tonk and western swing. Mikael is truly a doctor of the harmonica, having conducted various academic studies with the harmonica at center stage, as part of his work at the Piteå School of Music. One of these resulted in a music thesis on how practicing the chromatic and diatonic harmonicas can improve the playing of both. Mikael has also recently completed a PhD where he wrote a doctoral thesis on country harmonica, which included an article and recording session with the legendary Charlie McCoy. Links: Website: https://harpatwork.com/ John Henry band: www.johnhenry.nu Mike Caldwell playing Roly Poly: https://soundcloud.com/mike-caldwell-2/roly-poly Mikael’s recordings on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/07qOtgwTkCHlzYgx6P8Goh?si=d7e648990fd9420b One Lick - Two Harps: chromatic / diatonic: https://tinyurl.com/yfnh9fcv PhD thesis My Bag of Licks: https://tinyurl.com/mybagoflicks Article on Charlie McCoy: https://www.internationalcountrymusic.org/_files/ugd/83ada7_e189b0dca9ad431dbc743cea3ffd5a88.pdf Charlie McCoy Transcriptions link: https://www.researchcatalogue.net/profile/show-exposition?exposition=1510243 Neil’s harmonica transcriptions: https://www.harptranscripts.co.uk/ Videos: Same lick on chromatic and diatonic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIcnyGTtv6A Mikael talks through what he plays on Oklahoma song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJeskt_Vo1U Amazing Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04Q9k6eEok Podcast website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: | |||
| 09 Apr 2020 | Paul Lamb interview | 01:02:43 | |
First up in the podcast I'm delighted to welcome a certain Mr Paul Lamb. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 11 Apr 2020 | Steve 'West' Weston interview | 00:59:50 | |
Steve West Weston is the man in the hot seat in episode two. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 13 Apr 2020 | Giles Robson interview | 00:59:46 | |
Today I talk to Giles Robson, who released two highly successful albums in 2019. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 17 Apr 2020 | Billy Branch interview | 00:59:47 | |
Billy Branch is a Chicago blues harp player who grew up learning directly from some of the classic generation of Chicago players, such as Carey Bell, James Cotton and Junior Wells. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 22 Apr 2020 | Joe Filisko interview | 01:00:43 | |
Joe Filisko has made the study of the harmonica his lifelong passion. His detailed knowledge of early recordings has helped him become the pre-eminent pre-war harmonica player of our time. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 25 Apr 2020 | Kim Wilson interview | 00:59:58 | |
Kim Wilson is without doubt one of the great harmonica players around today. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 01 May 2020 | Rod Piazza interview | 00:58:57 | |
Rod Piazza developed his exciting brand of West coast jump harmonica in Southern California, where he formed his own band before joining forces with George Harmonica Smith, to form Bacon Fat. Two harps, what a sound! Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 11 May 2020 | Charlie McCoy interview | 00:59:57 | |
Charlie McCoy is the leading figure in Country harmonica playing, where he joined the Nashville scene in 1961. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 16 May 2020 | PT Gazell interview | 01:00:42 | |
PT Gazell developed his melodic style of harmonica through playing a range of genres, from Bluegrass, to Pop, Country and Jazz. After his iconic first album, Pace Yourself, he became a session musician and toured with Country bands before taking a prolonged break from playing due to his frustrations at the limitations of the diatonic harmonica. This led him to develop his Gazell Method half-valved diatonic, in partnership with the German manufacturer Seydel.
Some of the equipment PT uses: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 20 May 2020 | Carlos del Junco interview | 01:01:46 | |
Always looking to push himself in new directions, Carlos has released an eclectic mixture of genres across the range of his albums. But each song is underpinned with his great sounding fusion of blues / jazz harmonica, with a great tone. Carlos is also known for his overblowing technique, and he shares how to use this to compliment his sound. Carlos is also a passionate teacher of the harmonica, and is running some Webinars on how to transcribe music to aid learning. Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only).
Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 27 May 2020 | Brendan Power interview | 00:59:32 | |
Brendan Power is my guest today. YouTube clip of playing on Jools Holland show: Some of the recordings in the episode can be heard here: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 04 Jun 2020 | Peter Madcat Ruth interview | 00:59:46 | |
A grammy award winner, Peter Madcat Ruth has enjoyed a long career, from playing jazz with the Brubecks, to numerous solo projects and playing in various bands and duos and trios. Madcat has loved Sonny Terry from the start and has really mastered the style, and gives some pointers during the podcast. Take Five: Harmonica & percussion: Sonny Terry Meets Jimmy Hendrix: Madcat & Kane: Rollin & Tumblin’ Pandemic Blues: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 11 Jun 2020 | Lee Oskar interview | 00:59:21 | |
Lee Oskar left his native Denmark to move to the US at age 18, and was soon enjoying phenomenal success with the rock funk band War, interweaving soulful harmonica lines into the horn section. Lee also has numerous solo albums, releasing some of the most downright catchy harmonica melodies ever recorded. On top of all this, he set-up his own harmonica company, leading the way with innovations such as replacement reed plates and different tunings Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only). Lee Oskar harmonicas: Dreams We Share record label: Teaching: With Steve Lockwood: YouTube: Lee Oskar Harmonicas 25th Year Anniversary Tour: Lee Oskar Harmonicas YouTube Channel: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 19 Jun 2020 | Howard Levy interview | 00:59:48 | |
Howard Levy is known to be the pioneer of overblows on the diatonic harmonica, but his music shouldn’t be defined merely by the use of this technical tool. Starting out as a piano player, he first started using overblows to enable him to play the music that he wanted to play. And they have allowed Howard to take the instrument to soaring new heights across a diverse range of genres. And make no mistake, he has rhythm, feel, a great bluesy tone when he needs it, and most of all, blistering chops. Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only). Keys of harps on some albums shown here: Discography: Trio Globo website: New Directions for Harmonica: ArtistWorks: Out of the Box DVD: Effect pedals: Lonesome Pine Special with Bella Fleck and the Flecktones: Amazing Grace: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 28 Jun 2020 | Michael D'Eath interview | 00:59:38 | |
Michael D’Eath is the President of the American harmonica organisation SPAH. He tells us what SPAH is all about and the many benefits it brings to its members. The SPAH convention is one of the biggest events on the harmonica calendar, and this year it will be online. Allowing more international artists to be utilised, and providing the opportunity for people around the world to take part in the convention, which takes place from Aug 12-15 2020.
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| 11 Jul 2020 | Rachelle Plas interview | 00:58:21 | |
Rachelle Plas is a French player who learnt her craft at an early age in group lessons provided by Greg Zlap in Paris. She won various competitions at French music festivals which led on to her touring Europe and beyond with her band. After making a splash at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany, Rachelle became the face of Hohner’s Golden Melody harmonicas. She has gone on to record two albums since, with her fusion of blues, soul, pop, rock & electro bringing her fast flowing harmonica style to a new and younger audience. Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only). Rachelle's boutique store, where songs and teaching material can be purchased:
SBW I’ve Got To Go: Orange Blossom Special: Mellow Down Easy:
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| 22 Jul 2020 | Gregoire Maret interview | 00:59:52 | |
Gregoire Maret is a chromatic player, originally from Switzerland. After studying jazz at the New School in New York, Gregoire went on to play with some of the biggest names in jazz: from Jimmy Scott to Cassandra Wilson, Pat Metheny and Herbie Hancock. Although he can also turn his hand to other genres, such as pop, funk and even opera! Gregoire's website:
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| 01 Aug 2020 | Mick Kinsella interview | 00:59:56 | |
Mick Kinsella started out as a drummer before moving across to the harmonica to pursue his love of traditional music. Skilled in the use of both the diatonic and chromatic, Mick played on numerous sessions before releasing his own 2002 album ‘Harmonica’ with an assortment of genres and some tremendous harmonica work. He went out to tour with Rick Epping and Brendan Power under the name Triple Harp Bypass. Mick likes to tinker with his harmonicas, has a tuition book to his name and teaches each year at the William Clancy festival in Ireland. Irish Traditional Music Archive: Michael McInerney teaching website: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 11 Aug 2020 | John Cook interview | 00:59:56 | |
John is a harmonica repairer and customiser. Following years of experience as a toolmaker John moved into repairing musical instruments, initially for woodwind instruments, before tapping into a rich vein of work repairing harmonicas. As well as many private clients, he now does repair work for the big three manufacturers. Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only). Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 22 Aug 2020 | Jerry Portnoy interview | 00:59:42 | |
Jerry Portnoy joins me on episode 20 of the podcast. Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only). Teaching: YouTube: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 02 Sep 2020 | Mickey Raphael interview | 00:57:55 | |
Mickey Raphael started out playing on the Dallas folk scene before meeting with Willie Nelson at a jam session. Forty six years later, Mickey has toured the world with Willie. Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 13 Sep 2020 | Mark Feltham interview | 00:59:58 | |
Mark Feltham grew up with a love of country music and just knew he had to play harp when he heard Stone Fox Chase on the UK music programme, Old Grey Whistle test. As he entered the London music scene he found he had to adapt his style to create a fusion of melodic and blues playing, which has served him very well throughout his career. Best known from his work with Punk Blues band, Nine Below Zero, Mark also played with Rory Gallagher for a long spell. Alongside this he has had a great career as a session musician, recording for television adverts, films and playing with such giants as Oasis, The Christians, Talk Talk and Godley and Creme, of 10cc fame. Select the Chapter Markers tab above to select different sections of the podcast (website version only). YouTube: Dennis Greaves duo trailer: Rory Gallagher: Masterplan with Oasis: Playing on the Young Ones TV show: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 26 Sep 2020 | Antonio Serrano interview | 00:59:40 | |
Chromatic player, Antonio Serrano, is the current SPAH harmonica player of the year. And with good reason. Performing with Toots Thielemans: Playing with Paco de Lucia: (Flamenco) Antonio playing Send In The Clowns from his first album: SPAH seminar: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||
| 13 Oct 2020 | Grant Dermody interview | 00:59:52 | |
Grant Dermody first picked up the harp in Alaska, where he emulated the greats before developing his own acoustic sound playing American roots music.
Teaching:
EuroBlues Week Harmonica Tutor intro: Jerry Devillier playing Cajun Harmonica: Donations: Spotify Playlist: Podcast sponsors: | |||