Post by jbone on Apr 24, 2019 8:22:12 GMT -5
How I missed this thread 5 years ago I don't know! I first heard harmonica when my Gramps was sitting in at a Knights of Columbus event. I was 3 and could barely hear him with all the other instruments. They were doing big band and ragtime stuff I think. Some 2 years later my Dad died and that wrecked my world. My Gramps- Mom's dad- got to where he played a harp when the family came to visit, Mom and us 6 kids. I was still weighted by grief at the time and he would put me on his lap, call me Mr. Blue, and play marching songs, ragtime, English folk, and even some blues. The whole family benefitted I'm sure but I felt like the music was just for me. For some reason that era passed and I didn't see Gramps play much after that. Some years later I ran across the big AM radio Sunday night blues shows and that really made an impression, first because I related to that sound in general, second because the guys like Wolf, the Walters, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Terry, an all the rest were playing harp.
Fast forward some 10 years. Gramps had passed away which left another hole in my soul. Mom handed me a box one day when I was 16 and told me, "These are your father's effects. Pick 2 items to keep with you for a remembrance and legacy." One item was a Marine Band harp, given to Dad by Gramps the year I was born! I had no idea what to do with the harp but I wanted to play, and to some day be a part of a band. Some 20 years later that dream began to come true. While I began trying to play at 17, and I learned a few things in my 20's, I was 36 or so before I played with a band, and by my late 40's I had truly begun to know some higher level tricks on harp. In my 30's I sought out jams and open mic nights and began to try and learn to play better. But I was near 50 when things really fell into place thanks to caring peers and the internet. And a lot of stage hours and practice time.
15 years ago, enter Jolene. This chapter has been by far the richest, in learning, experience, and a bit of the coin as well! And even with recent events- Jo had a fracture of a vertebra some weeks ago and is healing- I think we have much more to do as a duo.
I have worn out countless harps. I have built a kit with everything I need to be an asset with a band or duo. We have the gear to amplify and have played plenty of clubs, restaurants, even a fest or 3. Some of my favorite gigs though are the acoustic, farmers market, street, or small venue, just Jo and me, guitar, harp, vocals.
Fast forward some 10 years. Gramps had passed away which left another hole in my soul. Mom handed me a box one day when I was 16 and told me, "These are your father's effects. Pick 2 items to keep with you for a remembrance and legacy." One item was a Marine Band harp, given to Dad by Gramps the year I was born! I had no idea what to do with the harp but I wanted to play, and to some day be a part of a band. Some 20 years later that dream began to come true. While I began trying to play at 17, and I learned a few things in my 20's, I was 36 or so before I played with a band, and by my late 40's I had truly begun to know some higher level tricks on harp. In my 30's I sought out jams and open mic nights and began to try and learn to play better. But I was near 50 when things really fell into place thanks to caring peers and the internet. And a lot of stage hours and practice time.
15 years ago, enter Jolene. This chapter has been by far the richest, in learning, experience, and a bit of the coin as well! And even with recent events- Jo had a fracture of a vertebra some weeks ago and is healing- I think we have much more to do as a duo.
I have worn out countless harps. I have built a kit with everything I need to be an asset with a band or duo. We have the gear to amplify and have played plenty of clubs, restaurants, even a fest or 3. Some of my favorite gigs though are the acoustic, farmers market, street, or small venue, just Jo and me, guitar, harp, vocals.