Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

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. After initially developing his blues playing via the classic players, Jason moved to Memphis and developed his signature fast licks under the guidance of Pat Ramsey. Then, after getting into jazz and a brief flirtation with the saxophone, he started playing overblows, inspired by Howard Levy and the more blues based approach of Adam Gussow. Jason moved from Memphis for stints in various places, including Florida and jail, before settling in Nashville where he really made his presence known with his band Jason Ricci and New Blood.To be continued...Links:Jason’s social media links::https://mooncat.org/https://www.instagram.com/jasonricci93/https://twitter.com/jasonricci93Patreon page:https://www.patreon.com/jasonricciTip Jason:PayPal.me/jasonricciBandcamp:https://jasonricci.bandcamp.com/Videos:Jason's YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/jasonricciBaby Scratch My Back with the Nick Moss band:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSGrzkcdiM0Podcast 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

Erland Westerstrom joins me on episode 92.Erland is from Sweden, where he studied Swedish folk music on the harmonica at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, with Filip Jers as one of his teachers there.Erland released a solo harmonica album in 2020, Andas! (Swedish for breathe), where he makes use of drones, polyphonic rhythms, tongue spilts and other techniques to create self-accompaniment to the melodies of the traditional tunes he plays.Erland’s latest band is with the trio Västanvinden. This sees the harmonica combining with great effect with the clarinet and cittern, with the harmonica used as much for chordal accompaniment as for melody.A big part of Erland’s music is playing for dancers, who are part of the show in Sweden.Erland also does some harmonica maintenance work as well as teaching in Stockholm and online. He is touring with the Västanvinden trio in Europe later in 2023.Links:Erland's website:http://www.folkmunspel.se/englishContact:erland.westerstrom@icloud.comBlog:http://www.folkmunspel.se/bloggCustom harmonicas for sale:http://www.folkmunspel.se/till-saluGreat resource for traditional Swedish tunes:folkwiki.seAudio-Technica ATM350 mic:https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/atm350Videos:From Andas! Album:https://youtu.be/6E3jK0Hj71IWith Bjorn Gardner:https://youtu.be/6E3jK0Hj71IWith Vastanvinden trio:https://youtu.be/eNDmadf1k0MTremolo playing:https://youtu.be/7CXqJ4-v1wUGraduation concert:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKKNMHmeR6oPodcast 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

Tom Halchak joins me on episode 91.Tom tells us how he grew his successful company, Blue Moon Harmonicas, started in 2009. Tom started out selling custom combs, and then covers in different materials and colours. Tom went on to develop his customisation skills to offer fully fledged custom harmonicas using his Blue Moon product lines. Tom also started offering pre-war Marine Band harmonicas for sale. These hand-crafted harps have stood the test of time and with some improvements by Tom, provide a playing experience which conjures the spirit of the players of the past. As a result of his pre-war harmonicas trading, Tom now acts on behalf of the estate of Sonny Terry, offering Sonny’s actual harmonicas for sale, complete with the DNA of the great man himself, as well as a range of other memorabilia, such as concert posters and contracts. Tom also prides himself in providing great service.Links:Blue Moon harmonicas:https://bluemoonharmonicas.com/Blue Moon Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/BlueMoonHarmonicasSonny Terry harmonica collection:https://bluemoonharmonicas.com/collections/sonny-terry-estate-llcVideos:Blue Moon instrumental by Whitt Smith:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NGES1uduekRange of harps available at Blue Moon:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXlrOo9qQKECNC Milling GM wood comb:https://youtu.be/lhVFoRTDMjsJason Ricci video on Blue Moon products he uses:https://youtu.be/PWrKgdGnhZEJason Ricci playing ‘Feel Good Funk’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSAvtxrTbccCustom combs for Big River:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcgQktZ8gDsAdam Gussow appraisal of 150 of Sonny Terry’s harmonicas:https://youtu.be/EDT4Xt70OmgSonny Terry tribute concert at SPAH 2016:https://youtu.be/7ycKmefNKfgPodcast 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

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.Paul Butterfield retrospective, part 1:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/paul-butterfield-retrospective-with-tom-ellis/Was Butter a u-blocker?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-73mhQn4Pkc Podcast 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_GBSpotify 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

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.  Links:Mike’s website:www.mikestevensmusic.comArtscan Circle:www.artscancircle.ca  A Walk In My Dream documentary:https://mikestevensmusic.com/walk-in-my-dreamVideos:Playing at the Grand Old Opry with Jim & Jesse:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YIpFQccOUoPlaying at Jesse McReynold’s funeral:https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY4NzgyMTYwMjI1ODU0MyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==Playing with Matt Andersen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6iCgQoaViMTED talk on Artscan Circle: bringing music to indigenous communities:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-4uQoNq4M4Blue Sky music festival presentation:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7s-x9tMn6QPodcast 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

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.Links:Previous interview with Jim:https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/jim-hughes-interview/Serenade Radio:https://www.serenade-radio.com/The Archivist harmonica website, from Roger Trobridge:http://www.the-archivist.co.uk/NHL concert 1985: (or 1983)http://www.the-archivist.co.uk/jim-hughes-1983/Videos:Adam Glasser in conversation with Jim Hughes, from 2022:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU59OUY-PjE&t=464sCarol Axford playing at NHL concert 2004:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC5t-t8L4F4Podcast 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_GBSpotify 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

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:Paul Harrington: Seydel endorser:https://www.seydel1847.de/paulharringtonVideos:Timber hit song:https://youtu.be/hHUbLv4ThOoTexas Blues Runners, Downtown from Sweet Mama album:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8OPJyd_HRUAdam Gussow reviews Paul’s Mercy Mercy Mercy song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvSSG3eyhDcNews story by Paul’s nephew on his involvement with Timber song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_EXYVhNYrYNorton Buffalo switching between four harmonicas on ‘Runaway’:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPzcZNgVfpAPodcast 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_GBSpotify 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

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.Links:Marcos’s website:https://marcoscoll.com/Online tuition website:http://harpandsoul.info/enVideos:With Los Mighty Calacas at World Harmonica Festival 2013:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLcLlgcJHLULatin workshop at Hohner masters 2022:https://youtu.be/9Qi0nxFsJbgChan Chan song, playing chord harp (and others) also effect part way thruhttps://youtu.be/_sBZj8CoB6QMarcos rapping on basketball anthem:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yHcGFfXVTgHarp and Soul tuition introduction:https://youtu.be/ErHO7pI64HESeoul festival, playing with Antonio Serrano:https://youtu.be/ks88GMCDj_sPodcast 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_GBSpotify 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

Ed Hopwood joins me on episode 85.Ed is from the UK where he started out playing drums and he shares some tips on how to bring some rhythm into our harmonica playing. Ed loves early styles of harmonica and performs a range genres, including jug band, early blues, cajun, bluegrass and old-timey music. Ed has a one man band show where he plays harmonica, guitar, sings and a whole host of percussion instruments. He’s brought many of these skills to his main band, The Rigmarollers, a trio who play a mixture of barrelhouse blues, ragtime, jazz, swing, gospel and infectious zydeco grooves.As well as performing, Ed runs his harmonica tuition school, the Harmonica Barge, from the canal barge on which he lives in London. Links:Ed’s website:https://www.edhopwood.com/The Rigmarollers band:https://www.therigmarollers.com/Teaching website:https://www.theharmonicabarge.com/Solo recordings on Soundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/ed-hopwood-1Mark Harrison albums:https://www.markharrisonrootsmusic.com/music.phpSeth Shumate, old-time harmonica player:https://oldtime-central.com/seth-shumate-oldtime-harmonica/Videos:One man band act:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RShyJrXbkFURory McLeod, Love Like A Rock:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4gFDlm4oe0Solo gig at The Green Note:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7fmgikSS_AEd solo: Born In The Wrong Time:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5gsMKfEpMsPeter Madcat Ruth playing Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1UyPh3Z3LIHarmonica Barge YouTube site:https://www.youtube.com/@TheHarmonicaBargeCajun music interview with Ed:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8H8GEc2x0ICountry Blues lesson:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdfucNQwEBMCindy, Old-time tune:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDfX9m830coI Shall Not Be Moved, Gospel song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=053CKZu-WOIPodcast 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_GBSpotify 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 Support the show

Hendrik Meurkens joins me on episode 84.Hendrik is a German chromatic player who has been living in New York since the early 1990s. Toots Thielemans was Hendrik’s inspiration to take up the chromatic and he performed a live radio show in Germany with Toots. Hendrik is also a vibraphone player, which he studied at the Berklee College of Music. Shortly after this he spent a year in Brazil to immerse himself in the music there. This helped him form his brand of Brazilian music, Samba Jazz.Hendrik has a large album catalogue, including six albums with the prestigious jazz label Concord, and has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in Brazilian and jazz music.Links:Hendrik's website:https://hendrikmeurkens.com/Bandcamp site:https://hendrikmeurkens.bandcamp.com/Hendrik’s album catalogue:https://hendrikmeurkens.com/portfolio/Tutorial site:https://www.mymusicmasterclass.com/artist/artists/hendrik-meurkens/Videos:Hendrick playing vibes:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbIMf3iMNkQTribute To Toots concert in Uruguay:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jcUG7RTNWQPlaying with WDR Big Band:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzyE4Yv2xloPlaying at the Blue Note in New York:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuIAVFDAmqASambatropolis with WDR Big Band:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_G2RuvtyMIDolores Claiborne movie clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSMimK5uUikPodcast 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_GBSpotify 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