Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

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. On top of this Konstantin is a music producer, including producing his own recordings bringing the harmonica into a contemporary pop setting. He has a very active online presence and hosts harmonica interviews for the Hohner Live X series of YouTube videos.Links:Konstantin’s website: https://www.konstantinreinfeld.comPatreon page:https://www.patreon.com/konstantinreinfeldCompositions for harmonica and piano:https://www.doerken-stiftung.de/foerderung/kompositionen-fuer-mundharmonika-als-gratisdownload/downloads-kompositionen-fuer-mundharmonika-und-klavierVideos:YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@KonstantinReinfeldBody Heat with Benjamin Nuss:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KEJzFcZgqg&list=TLGGMrKWZLRF3CoyMjAxMjAyNA&t=2sCinema Paradiso - Love Theme:https://youtu.be/ULj-GjL4nFA?si=D6G11zXwOCd32kvvInterview on Hohner channel with the 14 year old Konstantin:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIPCFRTIJDUHohner Live X interview with Howard Levy:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_DDBgcEViwCountry Harmonica Challenge:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glvupq6gpf8Don Toliver harmonica cover:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2BVsMa5QiMPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBor sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/supportSpotify Playlist:Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICASSupport the show

Christian Marsh, an Australian harmonica player, discusses his journey into playing the diatonic and chromatic harmonica, his musical influences, and his impressive achievements, including performing at the Sydney Opera House. He also shares his experience playing with Howard Levy and participating in harmonica competitions. Additionally, the chapter explores his collaboration on albums and his future plans in recording and playing shows with jazz musicians.

Neil Warren, a musician who started out playing blues harmonica, discusses his progression into jazz and folk music. He currently plays in two bands, one acoustic and one electric. The conversation focuses on the origins and goals of the Happy Hour Harmonica podcast, favorite moments from the first 100 episodes, and the interviewee's efforts to document harmonica players. They also discuss playing in multiple bands, the fascination with a skilled one man band, different harmonica tunings, and future plans for the podcast.

Episode 100 is a retrospective on the greatest ever blues harmonica player, Marion Walter Jacobs, aka Little Walter.Little Walter was born in 1930, probably, and started playing harmonica age 8. He was busking on the streets of New Orleans by age 12, spent some time in Helena, before heading north to Chicago to make his indelible mark on blues and the harmonica. Little Walter teamed up with Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers and cut some classic blues recordings before he went out under his own name after he was launched into superstardom with his instrumental Juke, in 1952. He was riding high in the charts and touring for the next few years, including another number one with My Babe, while still also recording with Muddy Waters.The arrival of rhythm and blues started to replace the blues as the popular music of the day, which saw Little Walter start to go down slow, but he still made some great recordings and completed two tours of Europe.He was then taken far too young, at the age of 37, as a result of an injury sustained in a street fight. But he left behind numerous masterpieces in the blues harmonica genre, that have influenced pretty much every player since. Links:The Little Walter Foundation:https://littlewalterfoundation.org/Billy Boy Arnold interview:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/billy-boy-arnold-interview/Kim Field website:https://www.kimfield.com/Bob Corritore Little Walter photo tribute page:https://bobcorritore.com/photos/little-walter-photo-tribute/Videos:Lonnie Glosson and Wayne Raney:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfXb7OEjVzUOra Nelle Blues, first recording:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E7z56E0DwIPlaying Walter's Jump with Hound Dog Taylor in 1967:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8GWEvIkzGETrailer of Blue Midnight Little Walter biography:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtZDbiCEfnMShe’s 19 Years Old bootleg recording with Sam Lay from 1967:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9-pYoSCcHcLittle Walter’s induction into Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyYk_PlnnUoPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBor sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/supportSpotify Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or InstagramSupport the show

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:Dennis Gruenling websites:https://badassharmonica.com/https://www.dennisgruenling.coNick Moss band:https://badassharmonica.com/pages/nick-moss-bandWebinars / Membership:https://badassharmonica.com/collections/membershipsGear used by Dennis:https://www.dennisgruenling.com/gearBands In Town page:https://www.bandsintown.com/a/14484438-dennis-gruenling-badass-harmonicaTip Dennis:https://badassharmonica.com/collections/tips-thank-youVideos:YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@DennisGruenlingPlaying Rocker with the Nick Moss band:https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&v=2EswyXuWwzPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBor sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/supportSpotify Playlist:Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or InstagramSupport the show

Michael Pettersen And James Waldron join me on episode 98.In this episode we talk about the iconic Green Bullet microphone, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. 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.LinksGreen Bullet mics website:https://greenbulletmics.net/James’ Simple Mics website:https://www.simplemics.com/Versions of the Green Bullet:https://service.shure.com/s/article/what-are-the-different-versions-of-the-green-bullet?language=en_UShttps://service.shure.com/s/article/history-of-the-model-520-green-bullet?language=en_USConvert Green Bullet to use with XLR cable (low impedance):https://service.shure.com/s/article/putting-an-xlr-on-the-green-bullet?language=en_USAdd a volume control and on/off switch: https://service.shure.com/s/article/adding-a-volume-control-to-a-520d-green-bullet?language=en_USShure 520DX model:https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/microphones/520dx?variant=520DXVideos:Shure video on how the Green Bullet became the sound of blues harmonica:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlLniCG0lCwPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBor sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/supportSpotify Playlist:Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or InstagramSupport the show

Vitor Lopes joins me on episode 97.He is a Brazilian chromatic player who specialises in Choro music.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.Links:Chorando as Pitangas band website:https://chorandoaspitangas.comSoundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/vitor-lopes-harm/tracksVitor’s Choro harmonica course:https://hotmart.com/en/marketplace/products/choro-harmonica-with-vitor-lopes/U51984467A?sck=HOTMART_SITEVideos:History of harmonica in Brazil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIF4-7Em_awEdu da Gaita playing Paganini’s Moto Perpetuo:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8j_gfIEiUVitor’s series of videos on Brazilian Choro music on harmonica:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb7Pnj0vhWE3TcArNwNkjO4P9IQVCAbxA&si=Ai7wIhxP7LTXzrV-Concert with Chorando as Pitangas:https://youtu.be/Wbe2Dr0oi9s?si=IyiLCCHoiwHevJ2f With Ana Fridman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuxUvAEIPCMDuo with Pablo Fagundes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s87mSjNEGJ8Vitor playing diatonic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-RtOdozKdwSuzuki condenser mic  overview from Joe Powers:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQKs3yFRIncPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBor sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/supportSpotify Playlist:Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram Support the show

Paddy Wells, a harmonica player from the north of England, talks about his journey with the instrument, his experience as a freelance music journalist, and his collaborations with various musicians. He discusses his early fascination with the harmonica, his current band This Radio, his practice routine, and the importance of recording oneself while playing. He also shares his preferences for harmonicas and microphones, and mentions his future plans of recording a new album.

Michael Rubin joins me on episode 95.Michael moved to Austin as a young man, initially as a blues player. He found that by diversifying the genres he played on harmonica he became much more in demand in the vibrant music scene in Austin. He added to t his versatility by playing different types of harmonica, including plenty of chromatic in addition to the diatonic being his main axe. Michael has also recorded on bass harmonica and the harmonetta.Michael has gigged and recorded with numerous outfits, with styles ranging from blues to pop, African music, reggae and old time country gospel. Michael released his first solo album in 2022, I’ll Worry If I Wanna. On here he demonstrates his full range of harmonica mastery, including a solo playing in all twelve positions. Links:Michael’s website:https://michaelrubinharmonica.com/I’ll Worry If I Wanna album:https://michaelrubin.hearnow.com/SPAH tribute to Bob Herndon (great Harmonetta player):https://www.spah.org/content.asp?contentid=62Mike Caldwell:https://www.countrythangdaily.com/mike-caldwell-unleashed/Album with Christopher Cody Meacham:https://christophercodymeacham.bandcamp.com/album/ol-time-waddies-blues-2019-lpVideos:YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@michaelrubinharmonicList of YouTube harmonica lessons:https://michaelrubinharmonica.com/pageVideoArchive.htmlPeg O My Heart on Harmonetta:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xfqJNhLoTASophisticated Lady on DM48:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSKBZqijnUPodcast website:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.comDonations:If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GBor sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/supportSpotify Playlist:Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQPodcast sponsors:This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram Support the show

Jason Ricci, a musician and harmonica player, discusses his collaborations and his matured approach to music. He shares his best work on harmonica, talks about his current band and upcoming album, and highlights his teaching material on Patreon. They also touch on the development of a signature harmonica with Blue Moon Harmonicas and explore microphone choices, amp preferences, and effects pedals.