Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast

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.Links:Website: http://www.jensbunge.comDiscography:https://jazzpages.de/bunge/discography-jens-bunge/Soundcloud for more of Jens’ recordings:https://soundcloud.com/jens-bungeHohner ‘Masters of the Harmonica’:https://www.hohner.de/en/jens-bungeHarmonicaUK Chromatic Weekend:https://www.harmonica.uk/events/chromatic-weekend-2022Videos:The Getaway soundtrack: end credits:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjydZbfUKXcThat Misty Red Beast played by Jens:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvcBQRwJW1YSilent Dreams:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgacRD1bZxsTribute to Toots & Bill with Andreas Hertel trio:https://youtu.be/I5U1rN_lBDY2016 HarmonicaUK festival with Chris Collis:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuGufOFu_vcPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

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.Links:Tom’s Blues Access magazine articles on Butterfield:http://www.bluesaccess.com/No_25/butter.htmlhttp://www.bluesaccess.com/No_27/butter.htmlhttp://www.bluesaccess.com/No_29/butter.htmlhttp://www.bluesaccess.com/No_31/butter.htmlEast West Live album review:https://www.bluespower.com/447rev.htmHorn From The Heart documentary:https://www.hornfromtheheart.com/Homespun instructional material:https://www.homespun.com/instructors/paul-butterfield/Videos:Album with John Mayall:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR040iW52_cPerforming at Woodstock in 1969:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h62W2ARtwU8Mystery Train with The Band:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-fmqOU8_UoPlaying with Muddy Waters:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Sj5tpn-noPerforming with BB King, Eric Clapton, Steve Ray Vaughan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-i-tIXxtlY2015 Hall of Fame Induction, with Jason Ricci:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMxFvBVTWmMPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.coSupport the show

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)Links:Will's website:https://www.willharmonicawilde.comWilde Tuned harmonica:https://www.wildetuning.comhttps://www.seydel1847.de/rockharmonicaEuroBlues week:https://www.euroblues.co.uk/blues-week-2020/Will’s online store:https://www.willharmonicawilde.com/storeVideos:Performing in a duo with sister Dani:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykL8FXME9sALynyrd Skynryd’s Free Bird solo:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtXP2-5IC2EYouTube tuition videos:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmVJfqqiy8uDgmhZT0oI7zbBP6Hua_pDiParisienne Walkways video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPPGv5hBE0YYouTube collaboration with Erin Oberg:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dl4E1aqmgsPet Got The Blues Advert:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPzEWd079Lo&t=30sWilde Tuning Introductory lessons for standard and minor tuned:https://www.wildetuning.com/lessonsProgressive Metal - Phrygian Dominant scale:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tAH3p8IjRsPodcast 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 HARMONICASand BlowsSupport the show

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.Links:http://www.hazmatmodine.com/Yazoo album of 1920s & 30s harmonica:https://www.downhomemusic.com/product/harmonica-blues-great-harmonica-performances-of-the-1920s-and-30s/Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers book by Kim Field:https://www.kimfield.com/new-page-2Pat. Missin website:https://www.patmissin.comHog2 Octave pedal:https://www.ehx.com/products/hog2/European tour 2022:http://www.hazmatmodine.com/tour-summer22.htmlVideos:Wade playing with Hog 2 octave pedal:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjEgH7YAmEwLive at the BBC:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeiWUMpVdpQOutdoor concert filmed for the Nobel Laureate Committee:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llL5v5PL9dASolo piece at Stockholm Jazz festival:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwgN8IgLNI4&t=13sPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

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. Links:Hohner website:https://www.hohner.deTrossingen harmonica museum:https://www.hohner.de/en/community/harmonica-museumMarine Band 125 in 2021:https://www.hohner.de/#youtube-1Harmonicamento quartet:http://www.harmonicamento.de/Toots Thielemans 100th birthday concert:https://www.bozar.be/en/calendar/toots-thielemans-100th-anniversary-official-concertOther Toots 100th birthday celebrations in Brussels:https://www.thebulletin.be/toots-100-brussels-launches-centenary-celebration-jazz-giants-birthHohner endorsees:https://www.hohner.de/en/community/artistsCShop for parts:http://www.hohner-cshop.de/en/home/Harmonica Masters Workshop, happening in June 2022:https://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/Videos: Sheng harmonica:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWt4mf3whxwHarpin’ By The Sea Hohner presentation (including Trossingen Factory Tour):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuRqqT_eSIMHarmonicamento at SPAH in 2011:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fmxly46ewMSteve Baker discussing the HB52 microphone:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a9V8Grhmr4Podcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me AwaySupport the show

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.Links:Seydel website: https://www.seydel1847.deBertram’s band:http://www.boogielicious.deSeydel Artists Page:https://www.seydel1847.de/Artists/enMundharmonica Live festival:https://mundharmonika-live.deSeydel Open:https://www.seydel1847.de/Artists/en/SEYDEL-openLittle W effects pedal:https://www.pedaltree.de/shop/pedals/little-w.-harmonica-boost/Videos: Doug Tate playing at NHL 2003: (I think on an original Renaissance harmonica)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmH8ZKozwlcPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Mathias Heise joins me on episode 57.Mathias is a chromatic player from Copenhagen in Denmark. He started out playing diatonic, aged eight, before moving across to the chromatic, with which he was the first player to attend the Music Conservatory in Copenhagen. Mathias won the World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen at the age of 20 with his own composition, Sudden Ascent. The album containing this track won Mathias the composers competition ‘New Jazz Star of the Year’ in Denmark in 2015. In his band, the Mathias Heise Quadrillion, Mathias is leading the way as a chromatic player in a jazz fusion band. His most recent album, The Beast, is recorded with the Danish Radio Big Band, with all the arrangements written by Mathias. He has also appeared on numerous recordings as a sideman and more recently in a duo with a guitarist. Mathias has two new jazz albums coming out later in 2022.Links:https://www.mathiasheise.dk/https://www.mathiasheiseq.com/Suzuki chromatic bass harmonica:http://www.suzukimusic.co.uk/products/harmonica/orchestral.htmlClockwork delay pedal:https://rockettpedals.com/product/clockwork-echo/Hall of Fame reverb pedal:https://www.tcelectronic.com/product.html?modelCode=P0CYYVideos:Isn’t She Lovely:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmd4mKAUDxQSpain with Phillip Achille: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gu1kaek-DkShuffleFunk with effects pedal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZKDZolEBVMPlaying in a duo with guitarist Pelle von Bulow:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMCOZTgYPzYHUK 2017: Killer Joehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqFVhUCcS98Podcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

RJ Mischo joins me on episode 56.RJ hails from the twin cities of Minneapolis-St Paul, where he developed his craft with a little help from local player Slim Lynwood. He then teamed up with Mojo Buford to perform around the cities, including recording an album with Mojo. With numerous albums out under his own name, RJ has also made a career out of performing gigs with ‘pick-up’ bands when he goes on tour, giving his live shows the freshness and spontaneity that he likes to bring out.One thing that really stands out is the plentiful fine harmonica instrumentals across his album releases. RJ is back to work so look out for one his gigs and be sure to check out this great player. Website:http://rjblues.com/Videos:Song from Mojo Buford Harpslinger album:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKjF_gMSQSsSong from Blues Deluxe album:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTJCosoKm3gSong from I Hope You’re Satisfied album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YASa-rg3BdgPlaying harmonica on a rack using RackIt:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYK1KPydSDcRJ teaching at Harmonica Collective:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee-e3WfqEoMPlaying with Junior Watson in 2021:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-v7y-_NK-MPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Jim Conway joins me on episode 55.Jim is an Australian harmonica player who rose to fame at the age of 19 in the jug band: The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, with the first two albums from the band receiving gold record status. Jim also played kazoo with Captain Matchbox to great effect. The band evolved into the Conway Brothers act, before Jim decided he couldn’t continue after being diagnosed with MS. But it wasn’t long before he felt the music calling him again and he joined The Backsliders, a blues band which he was a member of for seventeen years. He then went on to form a band under his own name, Jim Conway’s Big Wheel.As well as some notable recordings as a session musician, including some film work, Jim also enjoyed the the great honour of touring Australia with Brownie McGhee in the late 1980s. Links:https://www.thecountryblues.com/artist-reviews/jim-conway/Videos:The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band: Mobile Line: https://youtu.be/eJ2wBc2tXXsYour Feet’s Too Big: https://youtu.be/7uWT3aQZjDAI Can’t Dance (I’ve Got Ants In My Pants):https://youtu.be/Zy4jV6B08M0Playing chromatic with Captain Matchbox:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk7c_mqAQEYConway Brothers Hiccups Orchestra - Dinosaur Songs:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgnOIKclEvwPlaying I Wish You Would with The Backsliders:https://youtu.be/TRZ_nNn7i14Sydney Paralympics Opening Ceremony:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LRPn-pJkasDocumentary film on Jim:https://youtu.be/wiq_fQ0XU-EPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show

Tom Ball joins me on episode 54.From Los Angeles, but long time resident of Santa Barbara, he started playing guitar in the popular local folk scene before Sonny Terry turned him on to the sound of acoustic harmonica.He then met Kenny Sultan, to form possibly the longest surviving acoustic blues duo. They have now been performing together for over 42 years and have recorded eight albums together. As well as session work for commercials, television and film, and toured the world together.On top of this Tom has over 300 album credits as a sideman with other artists, has written three harmonica instruction books, a guitar instruction book, two fictional books and released some solo guitar albums.Links:http://tomballkennysultan.comhttp://www.tomball.us Discography: http://www.tomball.us/discography.htmlSonny Terry licks book:https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=178&searchcategory=0&refer=search&type=product&keywords=sonny+terry+licksLittle Walter / Big Walter licks:https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=276&searchcategory=8&refer=newMusic Library sampler clips:http://tomballkennysultan.com/gallery.htmlVideos:Filthy Rich with Kenny Sultan:https://youtu.be/jH18jbva4c4David Barrett interview: demo of wah and growlhttps://youtu.be/IH_fzzS9mwINagasaki Sails From Uranus:https://youtu.be/4Hw4Utb5ZvQNHL festival 2003:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zBgQ7jTLi8Spah 2012, playing Don’t Get Around Much Anymore:https://youtu.be/YkgPNAZQ6BsPodcast 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 HARMONICASand Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/Support the show