easy reeding

country siren

heidi newfield
howard levy joe filisko gary allegretto
and harmonikids

john nemeth
and introducing...

the marine band

crossover

hohners Magazine for the harmonica enthusiast

august 2009

elcome to a new issue of Easy Reeding. In this issue youll nd features on country music star Heidi Neweld, overblow virtuoso Howard Levy, Marine Band master Joe Filisko, Harmonikids founder and blues artist in his own right Gary Allegretto, jump blues and soul singer John Nemeth, and old time style harp player Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. Youll ll also nd updates on some chromatic players, various news items and more. In this issue we also introduce the Marine Band Crossover. Rather than tell you what Hohner thinks of it, we opted to let a range of players try it out, and let you hear their comments. Howard Levy, Joe Filisko, Mickey Raphael, and John Nemeth all weighed in on this exciting new addition to the diatonic line. Summer always makes us think of the annual SPAH convention, this year held in Sacramento, CA August 11-15. Well update you on a few of the attractions of that, and if you are there, please stop by the Hohner USA room, where you can sample a new Crossover if you like. As we look to the fall, we cannot help but think of the World Harmonica Festival 2009, held in Trossingen, Germany beginning October 28, 2009. See below for details. As for me, I am a passionate player who has enjoyed studyng at Elkins Blues Week with folks like Phil Wiggins, Gary Primich, Joe Filisko, Dennis Gruenling, Carlos Del Junco, Grant Dermody, Larry Eisenberg, and Allen Holmes. Some of my favorite players are Phil Wiggins, William Clarke, and of course Little Walter. Enjoy!

A Note from the President of Hohner USA...

Greetings to all the fans and players of the Harmonica. I wanted to say thank you for your support of this instrument, the Hohner Company and for all the wonderful music, friendships and memories you have created as a result. That is what this magazine is all about. In my travels, I hear a lot of people discussing the dicult economy and how it is aecting their lives. Some are turning to their sources of inspiration to carry on. The Economist, one of the worlds leading nancial publications, recently contained an article stating that when times are tough, people turn to music as one of their main sources of inspiration. It allows people a means of escape, words of hope, or some simple notes to help them make it through the day. It lights the way out of economic recession. I challenge each and every harp enthusiast and musician to become that source of hope and inspiration for others and I hope that you enjoy this issue of Easy Reeding.

Clay Edwards

Andy Garrigue, Editor and Designer

Pilgrimage Time: World Harmonica Festival 2009

California Here We Come: SPAH 2009

Trossingen is Mecca, says Joe Filisko, who advises any serious harmonica player to make at least a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage there. This fall would be a great time for that, with Trossingen and Hohner rolling out the red carpet for the World Harmonica Festival, taking place October 28 to November 1. A distinctly international affair, the WHF features a wide range of world class performers in various genres. A few of the highlights are: Kings Harmonica Quintett from Hong Kong (photo above left), classical virtuoso Willi Burger from Italy, premiere chromatic jazz player Olivier Ker Ourio from France, and Svang, a cutting edge quartet from Finland who blend Slavic melancholy, Balkan rhythms and an orientation that can swing from ragtime to passionate tango. And thats just Thursday! On the agenda later in the festival are: Matyas Pribojski (new blues) (Hungary), Henry Heggen (acoustic and jugband) (USA), Los Reyes del KO (Latin blues) (Spain), Jerry Portnoy (Chicago blues) (USA), Howard Levy (an original composition for harmonica and accordion orchestra) (USA), Marko Jovanovic and Piaccordia (Germany), Jens Bunge (jazz) (Germany), and Opportunity with Steve Baker (photo left) (acoustic songs) (Germany). In addition to the performances, there will be workshops galore, late night sessions, competitions, and opportunities to see the 25,000 exhibits in the German Harmonica Museum, and take a tour of the Hohner factory.

Bulletin Board:

Images, News and Updates

Damien Masterson (top left), a chromatic jazz and world music player, has a new album All Over the Map coming out soon, and plans to be in South Africa, Senegal and Mali later this year. Hell be at the West Coast Jazz Harmonica Summit in Santa Cruz August 10, with Pete Blasberg, Jon Ericksen, Steve Malerbi, Michael Polesky, Slide Man Slim, and Winslow Yerxa. Curt Krandall (top middle, photo Nigel Bewley), a Psychology professor by day and chromatic player by night, is just back from a brief tour of Spain and England. His latest release is Get Wrong With Me. John Hammond (top right) and G.Love (middle right) collaborated on an excellent album Push Comes to Shove, and both continue to tour actively. Children at the Canaan Orphanage in Uganda (center) received some free Bluesband harmonicas from an elementary school in Richmond, VA, and they took to them right away. Cecil ONeal (middle left), seen jamming in Elkins, WV at Blues Week 2008, took up the instrument at the age of 87, and is now an 89-year old bluesman. A vintage Hohner ad (bottom left), and a display box (bottom center) likely from the early 1920s feature some beautiful artwork. Annie Raines (lower right), seen jamming at Elkins Blues Week where she has taught, has a new DVD One Night in Woodstock out with partner Paul Rishell. John Sebastian, Jr. guests on it in a harmonica duet with Raines.

The 2009 SPAH convention takes place in Sacramento,CA August 11-15. This years festivities include workshops, seminars, jam sessions, and many special performances. Some highlights are: Tommy Morgan, whose harmonica stylings have graced everything from recordings by the Carpenters to the Beach Boys to Quincy Jones, to the theme of The Rockford Files and countless soundtracks. Also, be sure to hear classical standout Jia-Yi He, jazz player Randy Singer (in photo), who will host the jazz jams, Buzz Krantz, Steve Baker, Chris Michalek, James Conway (Celtic), Paul Davies (old time), and former World Champion Jon Ericksen (jazz). Of special note, Hohner USAs Annelise Sissi Jones will perform on classical harmonica! Expect the unexpected at SPAH 2009, with great spontaneous jam sessions, and unadvertised playing by folks like Dennis Gruenling, Damien Masterson and more.

Cover photo of Heidi Newfield by Mike Rutherford

The Biggest Marine Band Fan in the World: A Portrait of Joe Filisko
By Andy Garrigue
As far as whats next, Joe Filisko thinks before answering, a typical response. He quietly says he wants to pursue more solo opportunities to perform. He has assembled a full show where he plays and discusses pre-War blues songs and other folk instrumentals. It is a virtuoso performance, vigiliantly accurate in both notes and tone and the info he provides on the players, the songs, and the use of the diatonic harmonica itself is a fascinating course in early 20th century American music history. Filisko also performs and records with an acclaimed duo, Filisko & Noden. He and his partner Eric Noden issued an acclaimed live recording, and have another in the can. Filisko says its all original, and heavily features the harmonica. The duo will perform this fall in Trossingen, Germany at the World Harmonica Festival. Another project Filisko is excited about is a group recording, called The History of Blues Harmonica. Filisko has partnered with David Barrett (of the Harmonica Masterclass) and Dennis Gruenling to record a concert together, with each of them discussing a period of blues harmonica. In this double CD, Filisko tackles the early, acoustic period, Barrett takes on the post-war amplified Chicago traditions and the West Coast and chromatic masters, and Gruenling brings the modern era home, with contemporary traditional stylings. Getting back to teaching, we asked Filisko about his general approach. Number one, keep it fun, he starts off. One piece of advice he tries to impart: You cant plant seeds today and expect to gather fruit tomorrow. Things take time. Asked what he focuses on as a player, he replied: Simply put, Im just really into making good music. Im really excited about making people aware of how important a musical tradition the harmonica is, and showing them how it was and is done. Performing is where the historian, player and teacher intersect and overlap. As to whether one thing is most important to him, Filisko allows that playing full time would not fully satisfy him. I have received great rewards from teaching and being an educator. Nowadays Im meeting people all over the world. This year Im going to Britain and this fall will be my fifth World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen. Filisko is adamant that Trossingen is a must for any serious harmonica player. For the most serious harmonica nuts in the world, a Trossingen pilgrimage once in a lifetime is a necessity. Trossingen is Mecca. Filisko considers himself a craftsman, referring to his work customizing Marine Band 1896 harmonicas, but many would go far beyond that. He emphasizes that he is the biggest Marine Band fan in the world. His company website www.customharmonicas.com can provide info. His personal web page (www.filisko.com) has, among other things, a complete discography of Big Walter Hortons work. Not content to keep all the attention on himself, Filisko notes how important his work with David Barretts Harmonica Masterclass is to him. David is easily the most dedicated harmonica teacher on the planet, he states. Im into excellence, and... David does brilliant work there. Filisko mentions also how meaningful an annual trip to the SPAH convention is. This year the festivities are in Sacramento, August 11-15. It is suggested that preservationist or champion could be added to his home page, owing to his passion and commitment to the harmonica and its devotees. Filisko agrees with the sentiment, but modestly sums it up this way: Im proud to be a harmonica player. And Im proud to play Hohner harmonicas.

oom B1 at the Old Town School of Folk Music is the inner sanctum of blues harmonica learning in Chicago. On a Monday evening like clockwork at 6:30, 17 players file in, take seats. Joe Filisko, the teacher, sits at the drums and he and a guitarist play a lazy shuffle beat while a student plays an instrumental. After its conclusion Filisko offers feedback, the words all the players hunger to hear. Joe offers a point here, a suggestion there, a lot of encouragement. The microphone is passed. Another player steps up, and the pattern repeats, until every player has performed. Joe tells one player hes hitting some notes too hard. To another he states the bends were pretty damn good, man. To another he is philosophical: Its a journey. Youre chipping away at it one bit at a time. To a player who needs to dial back his adrenaline he offers pretend that the harmonica is a fragile thing. Dont try to compress it into a diamond. Be loose and relaxed with it. Ever precise in his words, ever attentive to details, Filisko also keeps the big picture in mind. As passionate and dialed in as Filisko is to this whole teaching dynamic, one would think this is what he does full time. But this teaching gig at the Old Town School is only one day a week for him, and as his homepage (www.filisko.com) makes clear, teacher is only one of the hats Filisko wears. He is also a musician, a craftsman, a writer. We talked with him about whats ahead, and about how he pursues the arts of teaching and playing the harmonica.

Buddy Greene:

Symphony Hall Phenom

With nearly a million views on YouTube, Buddy Greenes classical medley (William Tell Overture, etc.) may be the most viewed harmonica player to perform in Symphony Hall. Greene, who tours with Bill Gaithers productions, has also performed the last couple of years at MerleFest in North Carolina, along with Doc Watson and others. He has a new gospel album coming out in August. Reached by e-mail, Greene said he used a Meisterklasse in C for his viral video. For a treat, and some extremely impressive playing, go to YouTube and search for Buddy Greene Symphony Hall.

Rest In Peace: Hohner was

saddened about the passing of bluesman John Cephas (below), long time partner of Phil Wiggins. Cephas performed at NAMM in the Hohner booth many times. Hohner also laments the passing of harp players Mark Sallings and Robert Lucas.

Filisko on new Rick Estrin DVD:

Ever the teacher and champion of excellence, Joe Filisko brings up a new DVD that has impressed him: Rick Estrin Reveals! Secrets, Subtleties and Tricks of the Blues Harmonica. Rick Estrin is one of the best living Chicago blues players, absolutely, with no doubt. From Little Walter to both Sonny Boy Williamsons, he has taken what those players laid down and is proof of their existence. The DVD breaks down numerous countless -- aspects of that tradition and the way he plays it. Rick really goes into detail about Little Walters style, and Sonny Boys style. I believe in it. I think its fabulous stuff. On the cover I said Its essential viewing for those seeking harmonica enlightenment, and I mean that totally.

Gary Allegretto:
By Andy Garrigue

A Harmonica Player of Purpose

ary Allegretto, a formidable harp player and excellent songwriter, is perhaps best known for his outreach to special needs children through Harmonikids. But hes also an actively touring performer, and one who has put out two highly acclaimed records in the last couple of years. In addition he is an enthusiastic teacher, working at Elkins Blues Week, and with John Gindick, among many other places. All of it combines well with his purpose in life, which he elaborated on in a recent interview. Whats next for you? I just put out a new acoustic album, from songs I had written during the Many Shades of Blue sessions. Its called Harmonicowboy. Its not a departure from the blues, but another extension of the blues. There are some special guests on it. My dear departed friend John Cephas, my good friend Rich DelGrosso. I grew up on John Jackson and Blind Boy Fuller, so this acoustic style goes back to that. I hope to go to Australia in the fall. What models do you use? My workhorse is the Special 20. I like the consistency of the sound on them. I like that theyre bullet proof, that theyre so durable. I also use the Super 64 Chromonica and a CX-12 It has a completely different sound from the 64. The air is very tight. You can get some nice bends on them.

Who were your harp influences? When I started, Little Walter, and especially Big Walter Horton, who I saw play when I was a child. That had a major effect on me. The first one I ever heard was my grandfather. It was a Chromonica. He gave it to me, and I still have it. From there I investigated everything I could: Junior Wells, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sonny Terry, even Charlie McCoy I like country harp. Deford Bailey blew me away! What are you trying to achieve on the harp? I try to tell a story with it. I hope people will hear a story in the music Im playing. Tell me about Harmonikids, when it got started I started volunteering at Sloan-Kettering, a cancer hospital in New York, in 1985. Back then, I saw how drawn the kids were to the harmonica. And Harmonikids started soon after. We became a 501 (c )(3) in 2000. Over the years Id say weve given away thousands of harmonicas to kids facing challenges and with special needs. In North Sumatra, post-Tsunami, I gave away 1000. I gave away more than 500 after Hurricane Katrina. What is the essence of Harmonikids? Harmonikids allows kids to be kids again. The kids we saw after Katrina, they had lost so much. When I got them playing, they started giggling, and being little kids again. Thats it thats the beauty of Harmonikids. I get them to play Shave and a Haircut and their self esteem goes through the roof! I taught one kid who was blind and had cerebral palsy, and I didnt know if I could do it, because I depend on visual cues. He was so excited he learned by ear what the other kids were learning by watching me. He learned You Are My Sunshine, his favorite song. And then he sang it. That was one miracle I witnessed, and theres been more than one. You have two really important pursuits with lead vocalist, and plays fiddle, guitar, banjo, and accordion. On nearly half their songs Secor also plays harmonica, blowing a mix of straight and cross harp, and whipping up the crowd with his joyful playing. When did you start? Ive been playing since I was 12. It was a Marine Band. I heard it, it sounded like a whistle, and I just wanted to blow it. Whats your style of playing now? Im coming at it from a country blues style, or jug band style. Its an old time style. Doc Watson told me about Gwen Foster, who is nothing short of amazing. He played in the Carolina Tarheels or the Carolina Twins. This guy does what the harp does in old time music, which is be the fiddle. When Im doing straight harp, Im playing the fiddle part. What model Hohners do you use? Pro Harps were my go to harp for six or seven years. Thats at the top, and the Special 20. I like the plastic combs. Who are some favorite players?

the harmonica. One is performing. The other is this outreach you do. Do these go together? I do both for my soul. My purpose is making people happy through the harmonica, and I can

Gary teaching through Harmonikids. Photo by Rich DelGrosso.

do that as a performer and through my work with Harmonikids. I think that we all need to find our purpose. You perform all over the world, and travel far and wide for Harmonikids as well. Does the harmonica come in handy? Its gotten me through customs! In Indonesia, this Customs Officer didnt want to let me in with 1000 harmonicas. So I got out a harp and played Untrainable, which is a train song from my first record. He started giggling, I gave him a harmonica, and he let me in. The harmonica is a great ambassador for me, all around the world. Its gotten me into some good situations, and out of some bad ones.

Old Time Man:

By Andy Garrigue

Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show

etch Secor is the front man for head-turning high-octane old time string band Old Crow Medicine Show. Old Crow Medicine Show impress and delight all kinds of music fans, whether they be preteens, college students, Jam-band fans, or middle-aged adults who can appreciate their fervor, chops, and roots-based repertoire. Spring and summer 2009 has brought perhaps their biggest exposure, as an opener for the Dave Matthews Band. Secor is

The person Im most jazzed about is Noah Lewis. Stylistically, with him the harp is like a bullhorn. Noah Lewis is really the man! Im also a big Deford Bailey man. We always mention him when we play at the Grand Old Opry. Im also a big Jaybird Coleman fan. He did a lot of tricks, and was known for playing in a really expressive way. He was with the Birmingham Jug Band. And there are the other obvious influences Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Sonny Terry. How does the crowd like it? You feature the harmonica quite a lot. It always gets a reaction. People come up to me in 50 cities a year, and say in the parking lot you can sure blow that harmonica! When your feet are free and un-tethered, theres a real joyful expression of the body, when youre playing the harmonica. To see a harmonica player expressing that great amount of joy can remind them of their own grandfather or inspire them to be a harmonica player. Everyone wants to be a harmonica player, and its easy to be one. We all want to drive a freight train, but we cant. But everyone can pick up a $23 dollar harmonica.

Charlie McCoy Elected to Country Music Hall of Fame

Born in West Virginia on March 28th 1941, Charlie McCoy came to Nashville in 1961 with the ambition to play guitar and sing Rock & Roll. Instead he became the man who almost single-handedly defined the role of the harmonica in contemporary country music. In the course of his lengthy career he has played on over 12,000 sessions and has accompanied virtually every significant country artist of the past half century as well as playing on seminal recordings by stars such as Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley or Simon & Garfunkel. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 and has received many other awards. One of his best-known recordings is his ripping version of the fiddle tune Orange Blossom Special, which has inspired a host of imitators. Charlie McCoy has always played Hohners Marine Band 1896, Old Standby and Vest Pocket Harp models and was also one of the first players to make extensive use of the Country Tuning. At the time of writing, he is still recording and performing. -- Steve Baker

Drawn to the Blues:

By Andy Garrigue

Country Star Heidi Neweld

n the early strides of a successful solo career after years with country super group Trick Pony, Heidi Newfield has an acclaimed album What Am I Waiting For? and is still turning heads with her passionate vocals and heartfelt -and often fearless -- songwriting. After a big hit with Johnny and June, her new single is Cry, Cry (Til the Sun Shines). Newfield just launched a new fan club, and is working on her second solo release, which she promises will include lots of harmonica. While she grew up on a horse ranch and in a household partial to country music, the blues made a big impression on her from a young age, and has informed her music ever since.
When did you start on harp? What model? I was six. My grandfather played it. I still have it. It was a typical Marine Band, and it still smells like the drawer he kept his harmonicas in. I kept them all. I was very enamored of the sound. It was the most lonesome sound I ever heard. And I kept going back to it. I was raised on a horse ranch, and I played it while I was doing chores. And that got me into the blues. In country the #1 guy was Charlie McCoy, whose sound I love, but I found myself drawn to the blues. At nine or ten I was buying records by Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, James Cotton, and Id try to break those down. In high school my friends were into fluffy music, like Depeche Mode. And Id want to hear a John Mayall record. What model do you favor now? For me and my style, a good old Special 20. I get the best tone, and theyre so bendable. Theyre easy to play, and the plastic holds up, and is easier on me. I can play em as hard or soft as I want to, so thats my favorite. Who impressed you as a harmonica player? Well Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen drew me in, but when I really got hooked was when I heard the blues. Little Walter is probably one of my biggest influences, and I still pull out his records today and still get a lot of inspiration from them. Sonny Boy Williamson, James Cotton, Mayall, and even John Popper, whos a good friend. We did a couple of USO Tours together. I want to be good, not just for a girl player, but to be a good player, period. I have a tough time with the upper register, thats what Im working on. Im still a fan of Charlie McCoy and Charlie Musselwhite. One other guy whose style I love with a passion is Mickey Raphael. You just know its him. He has one of those

unique styles. Hes really cool, a great guy. Hell check in with me, and ask how the harp is going, and make sure Im on top of my game. Hes been with Willie for 30 years or more, and its amazing to think all those licks on all those staples are his. Mickeys playing is almost as much of Willies sound as the sound of Willies voice or his guitar. Do you see harmonica as a natural fit for country music? I do, and I wish there was more of it. On the next record, were going to fix that. The next record will be more aggressive, more raw, and rocking. But we wont be afraid to be too country. And there will be harp all over it. Harmonica is just a really important part of me. I think harmonica is a perfect fit for country. And it goes back to the mountain music, even before the Civil War. How does the crowd react when you break out the harp? Its a lot of what gets the crowd going. And Ill see people go Wow, she can really play that thing! Its a real crowd pleaser. I dont know why more women dont play. I want to rock. I want to be a contender. So its a really big part of the live show. Do you think the harp is an edgy, even sexy, instrument? Absolutely. I think its a totally sexy instrument. Its definitely an attention getter. I see other country singers, like Carrie Underwood, and theyre so perfect, in their beautiful dresses. And then I see pictures of myself, on my knees, playing the harp, with sweat pouring down my face. Personally, I think thats sexy. Are you trying to get more women playing the harmonica? I dont know about that, but a lot of young people come up to me and ask me about it afterwards. A 13 year old girl who sees me playing, and says thats pretty cool, Ill think Ill try that. I want to learn the harmonica Well, that makes me feel great. Thats a pretty cool place to be. Do you see your playing harmonica, as a woman in country music, as a sort of outlaw or progressive image? Its a little progressive, and theres a little outlaw in it. And both those things probably describe me pretty well, too.

Left: John Popper of Blues Traveler is a good friend and fellow Special 20 player. Right: Mickey Raphael (r), an integral part of Willie Nelsons sound, is also one of Newfields favorites. (photos Garrigue). Governor of Virginia and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Tim Kaine (left) plays harmonica regularly, always carrying a few in his briefcase. In May 2009 he was late for a gig by Virginia favorites Old Crow Medicine Show in Richmond. The reason? He was playing with Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley at a fundraiser across town.

Harmonica Hits Comedy Central

Demetri Martin, a 20-something cerebral comic who got his start on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, now has his own show, Important Things With Demetri Marti, once weekly on Comedy Central. Martin frequently dons a harp rack and blows harp riffs over stream of conscisouness 21st century ditties he has composed. Martin is not unlike Adam Sandler in his ability to combine music and comedy. In point of fact, Martin is quite a capable harmonica and guitar player.

XB-40 Makes Appearance on Colbert Report

Pop troubador James Taylor gave the profile of the XB-40 har monica a boost when he used one on a performance on The Colbert Report. Taylor performed (Im A) Road Runner from his new Covers release, punctuating the number with some very tasty blues soloing.

Always Working: A Portrait of Overblow Master Howard Levy

By Andy Garrigue
Howard Levy as a harmonica player makes the impossible appear effortless. I could go on, but that pretty much states it. Howard is one of those talents that comes along once every couple of lifetimes. -- Joe Filisko Whats an average day for Howard Levy? There is no average day for me, but an average day for me starts with a cappucino. Nowadays, theres lot of practcing on harmonica and piano. It varies, but it revolves around music. At your level, why do you practice? The why is not relevant. You have to! People keep sending me challenges that are even more difficult than what I would come up with myself. How did Alone and Together come about? I didnt set out to record a CD, but I set out to get some recorded evidence of some of these things I do. One is an Ornette Coleman-ish thing, which I have to be very self conscious to do. On others, I said, Gee, I can play harmonica and then put piano on afterwards -- what a trip! There were hours and hours of recordings, and these are the best ones. One of them has me playing into a coffee mug, on Every Time You Say Goodbye. Do you play all diatonics? Yup. I made the decision long ago to play all standard Richter tuned harps. I really like them, and I planned to just figure out how to do everything on them. I made up my mind that Id never use anything else, and thats how Ive gotten where Ive gotten. It used to be the Golden Melody, but now I play customized Marine Bands, with Special 20 cover plates. How did you discover overblows? I discovered the whole overblowing thing when I was 18, within five months of starting playing. I was coming at it like a piano, and I knew there were missing notes. It was like playing a broken piano! It was frustrating for me to play an instrument where I couldnt play all the notes. The first time I found one, I went, Wow! There it is! Id never heard anyone else do it. Blues Birdhead did the first one, on record, in the late 1920s, and thats why I have a song about him on this record. I call it Birdhead Blues. He was playing 1st position on a G harp, and Im in 11th position on an A flat harp. But anyway, after that first one, I kept looking. Later, another note popped out. It got kind of fascinating. Years later I played a three octave chromatic scale on of the instrument, its history, and some of its players, the footage includes many familiar faces, including: Jerry Portnoy, Magic Dick (pictured), whose Whammer Jammer opens up the film, Robert Bonfiglio (pictured), Huey Lewis (narrator), Taylor Hicks, Joe Filisko, Toots Thielemans, Annie Raines, Gary Allegretto, Rick Estrin, Kim Wilson, William Galison, Gary Primich (R.I.P.), Charle Leighton, Mickey Raphael, Corky Siegel, Sugar Blue, Clint Black, Jon Gindick, Dennis Gruenmy G diatonic harmonica for Larry Adler. And in his great soft British voice, he said Hmmm. I wouldnt have thought that was possible. I thought if Larry Adler had never heard of that, I must be on to something! Joe Filisko optimizes and customizes your harmonicas. What can you say about him? Joe is the guy who the diatonic world had been waiting for to come. Hes like the Messiah of diatonic harmonicas! His absolute search for the truth has really paid off. Any accolades hes gotten are absolutely deserved. Since he started working on my harmonicas, my playing has improved,because he opened up things that I didnt know were possible, by working on the reeds. What are your goals as a player? Id like to play things more deeply and more adventurously. Those are my two goals. Im always working on my music, working on my sound. I try to keep things moving, on all fronts. uring our time together, Levy would frequently get up to play me something from his hard drive -- a Trio Globo track from the new record, a solo he was contributing to someone elses record, and most impressively, a movement from his original concerto, which was incredibly exuberant and musical. I asked him who else is ever going to be able to play it? His modest reply: Oh, someone will. Its all written down. Someone will come along. But Im not so sure. In Howard Levy, we are being treated to a talent so extraordinary that he is out in his own territory, a territory so beyond the beyond that no one else may ever travel there. And the amazing thing is that with his work ethic, his artistic ambitions, and the challenges people keep sending him, hes still lighting out even further.

he sound of piano greets me as I walk up to Howard Levys bungalow, home of Levyland Studios. From the front door, one can see Levy at his pride and joy -- his 1923 Steinway -- and his harmonicas are propped up in front of him, ready to be grabbed when the spirit hits him, as it often does. Levys latest release on his Balkan Samba records is Alone and Together, and it features a number of tracks where he plays piano and harmonica simultaneously. The entire recording is Levy -- on all songs, on every track within each song. It is a virtuoso performance, but it also displays his profound musicality. We talked with Levy about a few topics, including his latest recording. What has been the most excting collaboration for you? Bela Fleck was the most exciting and groundbreaking for me. In fact, were having a brief reunion tour this fall! But now, its Trio Globo, and we have a new album coming out by the end of the year.

At the Movies:

Cadillac Records & Pocket Full of Soul

Cadillac Records, a fine movie with some A-list stars including Adrien Brody and Beyonce Knowles, tells the story of Chess Records, and focuses on bluesmen Muddy Waters, Little Walter Jacobs and Howling Wolf. Kim Wilson performed the Little Walter parts on the soundtrack. Hohner contributed vintage instruments and displays to the movie, in order to create a period feel. Another film, Pocket Full of Soul, the Harmonica Documentary, is still searching for distribution. An excellent handling

ling, Stan Harper, and Les Stroud of the Survivorman series. An exciting development is that producers Todd Slobin and Marc Lempert have a DVD of extras that is avilable for purchase on their website. A full 90 minutes packed wth interviews and performances its called Pocket Full of Soul: In The Reeds. Go to www.pocketfullofsoulmovie.com for details. Slobin says its more hard core, for those really, really into the harmonica, and music in general.

Introducing...the Marine Band Crossover

Leading Edge Diatonic Due to Arrive in Fall 2009
Demonstration Models Available at SPAH
By Andy Garrigue
When they tried to take it up again another notch currently, they had this favorable feedback from the experimenting they were doing with this new (bamboo) comb. And it certainly adds a brighter, tighter, a little bit more of a crisp sound than the pearwood... This Crossover is an exceptional harmonica. I have to say that it is without any doubt the best playing out of the box harmonica that Ive ever had my hands on and my mouth around. So I am extremely pleased with the quality that they have here, its very nice. Very responsive. The tuning is fabulous. Fabulous tuning. Fabulous response. The bends are right there. Filisko played some morethen continued: This plays like a harmonica should play. Im extremely happy with what I have here in my hands. I feel very proud to endorse this product. I think its fabulous. And I venture to say I will be having some of these in my own personal playing kit. Although the 1896 is always going to be my personal favorite because it has such an intimate link to the history of the harmonica used in American music. The Marine Band to the harmonica is kind of like the Stratocaster to the guitar...Why change it? Why do anything other than this? This is the perfect harmonica size and shape. Now this (Crossover) is so much more user friendly, with the assembling with screws and it appears that the new comb material will greatly reduce or possibly virtually eliminate the problems with the comb swelling. This version of the Marine Band harmonica is essentially the perfect harmonica. Filisko had warned upfront that the Marine Band 1896 is very close to his heart. I am the worlds biggest Marine Band fan, and I am really excited about this new Crossover. I dont want to be vague. I want that to be very clearIt actually plays amazingly well for an out of the box harmonica. This one is actually quite impressive, and you can quote me on that. ohner also gave Howard Levy a prototype of the new Marine Band Crossover, and waited for his initial thoughts. Levy looked it over quickly and dove right in, playing some trademark quicksilver runs, putting it through its paces right off the bat. This is great! Fully absorbed, he immediately played some more. He looked at it again. He beamed. This is great! He was excited. Its very responsive, he explained. And it has a strong tone. It has a strong sound, which is what I get out of the customized harmonicas... These are a definite step up in basic quality out of the box, in quality and responsiveness... They are very close to customized harps that Ive played. This has not been optimized for overblows, I just got it and have not done anything to it, but a lot of them do work, Im very happy to say. It plays great, it sounds great. Im very pleased. This is perfectly usable for me, although Id probably want to play blues on it more than jazz because of the open ends on the cover plates. Two other players who dropped by Hohner USAs offices recently got to check out the Marine Band Crossover. What did jump blues and swing player John Nemeth think? I tell you what thats great! I really dug it. It has that nice compression, but it has a little more edge to it, which is really cool. If you need a poster boy for that harmonica, Id be glad to do it! Country legend Mickey Raphael also gave it a spin, and was similarly enthused: Love the Crossover! Mickey Raphael wrote in a note to Hohners Bill Green. After his Willie Nelson concert in Glen Allen,VA Raphael reflected that the Crossover was one of the most impressive harps out of the box that he had ever tried, and said he wants to get one as soon as they are available.

uring our time together in Chicago in early June 2009, Joe Filisko was given a prototype of Hohners new Marine Band Crossover, due out in fall 2009. Filisko had been part of the consultations along with Howard Levy and Steve Baker that led to this next generation Marine Band diatonic with a cutting edge bamboo comb. Less than five minutes after giving one a workout, Filisko framed his comments in a historical context: The Marine Band harmonica main design first came out in 1896. Still, to this day, it is virtually unchanged. But for reasons of the way modern harmonica players play and what their needs are, it needed to be updated in ways... Hohner did a nice thing when they introduced the Marine Band Deluxe. It showed they wanted to upgrade the worlds most famous, most important, most significant diatonic harmonica by far.

Joe Filisko, with the new Crossover, was on the input team for Hohner, along with Howard Levy (upper right, in Levyland Studios) and Steve Baker. (photos Garrigue)

Innovations:

Outreach: Hohner Raises the Blues

Other recent examples of Hohner innovation are the XB-40 Extreme Bending harmonica, the new CX-12 Jazz edition, and the Hoodoo Amp and Hoodoo Wireless Microphone System.

Hohner, Inc. is a proud contributor to Raising the Blues, which works with children, through music therapy, who have cancer, severe burns, and other critical illnesses. Hohner donates instruments and equipment, such as electric guitars, ampliers, harmonicas, and more. Being able to give these kids such quality instruments not only increases their chances of success, it sends a clear message that we believe in their ability to succeed, said Ruth Atherton, Founder of Raising the Blues, Ltd. The generosity of instrument manufacturers, such as Hohner, Inc., enables us to oer these children an opportunity they might otherwise never have. We cannot thank them enough.

hohner usa 1000 technology park drive glen allen, va 23059 www.hohnerusa.com

John Nemeth: Top of the Charts Playing Third Position

urrently burning up the Roots Music Chart for Blues with his latest Blind Pig release, Love Me Tonight, West Coast harp blower and blues singer extraordinaire John Nemeth is a Hohner devotee. After a very impressive set at Shenanigans in Richmond, VA we kept in touch with Nemeth, and when he came off the road we talked about harmonicas, his music, and even his suits.

What models do you use? I use the Marine Band and the 64 Chromonica. I like the Marine Band basically for its pure snap and volume. Its very bright. It cuts. And it holds up a long time as well. The tone is great. The performance is great. Its great for blues. The 64 its the best chromatic for the money. You say you play a lot of 3rd position. What inspired you to do so? It all started in the very beginning. I didnt know how to bend a note! Didnt even know you were supposed to. I loved Junior Wells Snatch Back and Hold It. And I figured out that whole solo except for one note, and

that was in 3rd position. I was about 14 or 15 years old. So I started learning all the 3rd position I could. You seem a cross between old school and contemporary Roots Top 100, which includes bluegrass, Yeah, absolutely! I figure out new ways jazz, and zydeco, in addition to blues. within the traditional ways of playing the Why the skinny suits and hat? You guys harp. It expresses what I want it to express. are sharp-dressed men Favorite harp players? I think the psychology behind it. Its the My Top 10, not in any order would be Little way the band feels when theyre dressed Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson... love Paul killer. The audiences appreciate it, and so DeLay...love Rick Estrin... Walter Horton, do the promoters. It really fits the style of Kim Wilson, Bill Clarke, Paul Butterfield, music that I play. Its a challenge when James Cotton, Toots Thielmans and Stevie youre on the road to steam your suits Wonder. I like each one for certain specific everyday. But its absolutely worth it. I love reasons in their playing. it. And it makes me feel good. Favorite singers? I ask because, to me, you are one of the best singers in all of blues or soul. Junior Wells, Howard Tate, Little Johnny Taylor, James Carr, BB King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Otis Redding. Also Stevie Wonder, Percy Sledge and George Jones. Whats your goal as a harp player? Each song has a certain energy, and I want to convey that energy in the harmonica. Cause youre trying to complete the song. Not every song needs a lot of action or intensity. Certain songs tend to straight harp or a 3rd position approach. Is the new record still doing well? John Nemeth (above) plays some 3rd posiStill #1 on the Roots Music Chart for tion in Richmond, VA. (photos Garrigue) Blues. Nine of the 20 weeks its been out its been #1. Last week it was #3 on the