Re: [Harp-L] Chris Michalek R.I.P

[Ben Bouman <fitgo@xxxxxxxxxx>]

What a terrible news. I had Adam Gussow in our house because of his european tour and he told me this first thing in the morning. 
What a shock this is for the harp community!!

Ben Bouman
www.customharmonicashop.nl
www.harmonicainstituut.nl
www.marble-amps.com

Op 17 dec 2010, om 13:51 heeft Arthur Jennings het volgende geschreven:

> A big hole, indeed. This is a terrible loss to the harp community.
> 
> On Fri, Dec 17, 2010 at 2:49 AM, Rick Dempster <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> 
>> Very sorry to hear this. I crossed swords a couple of times with Chris on
>> harp-l; nevertheless, he was generosity itself when I later posted a piece
>> on his Buddhas Garden site. I bought one of his custom Golden Melodys, which
>> was beautifully  modified and adjusted. I found Chris' tone incredible, and
>> his approach to the instrument appealed to me the most of all 'modern'
>> players. I found his use of overblows the most convincing, and I have worked
>> on Chris' approach to tone over the last couple of years, shifting my
>> vibrato from throat to front-of-mouth. I still can't capture Chris' amazing,
>> 'Wonder-ful' sound (incredible on a diatonic) but I have certainly been
>> influenced by him (not that that is any reccomendation!)
>> At one point I mentioned that I wouldn't mind taking a couple of lessons of
>> him via Skipe, but that it might have to wait as I was a little short of
>> money. He immediately offered to give me some lessons without charge,
>> something which I most certainly was not soliciting. I didn't get around to
>> takng him up;I never shall now.
>> A real loss.
>> He recorded this last year;apposite at this time of year, and beautiful:
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB0msM9ZcBY
>> Vale Chris.
>> 
>>>>> "Brendan Power" <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 17/12/10 9:16 PM >>>
>> 
>> I just got a message from George Brooks saying that Chris has died after a
>> short illness... I am utterly shocked!!! I find it hard to take in, but
>> George says he was called by Chris' wife Laurie, so it must be true,
>> horrible as that is to contemplate.
>> 
>> You had to know Chris personally to appreciate him. His posts online were
>> pretty extreme at times I agree, but he's the epitome of that saying "His
>> bark is worse than his bite". Chris had a heart of gold, and was incredibly
>> generous to me and lots of other people. The 2000 Harmonica Summit he
>> organised single-handedly was a landmark event in the harmonica world;
>> that's the first time I got to know him, as he put me up in his house. We
>> became friends, meeting at successive SPAHs, and I spent a great three days
>> with him in June at his and Laurie's home in Phoenix, where Chris organised
>> a gig/workshop for us. Remembering how lively and energetic he was only a
>> few short months ago makes his sudden death all the harder to accept.
>> 
>> At the Summit in 2000 I met his wonderful parents, American Dad and
>> Vietnamese Mum, who met when his Dad was in the Vietnam war. Wonderful
>> people; his Mum worked as a surgical nurse and gave me some exquisite small
>> scissors and tweezers that are still in my harp tool kit today.
>> 
>> After the recent SPAH in August Chris invited Buckwheat, TJ Klay and me
>> again back to his parents' place in Minneapolis/St Paul, and we had a
>> brilliant afternoon playing, joking, firing his Dad's home-made pipe gun
>> and
>> enjoying a delicious meal of Vietnamese delicacies cooked by his
>> big-hearted
>> Mum.
>> 
>> That afternoon I tried the sample Buddha Marine Band that he was showing
>> people at SPAH, and it was absolutely incredible! Among the 2-3 most
>> responsive custom diatonics I have ever tried.
>> 
>> Sure he talked himself up, but he certainly walked the walk as a customiser
>> as well as a player, big time. His playing, especially the gorgeous 12th
>> position sound he got, was very influential, especially through his
>> generous
>> YouTube teaching videos. He was a great mentor to many of the best young
>> players around today, as I'm sure they will attest.
>> 
>> Personally I liked Chris's strong opinions on everything. They always made
>> sparks fly, never boring! It's a pity that many of those offended by strong
>> posts online never got to know him in person, or they would have seen
>> through the bluster.
>> 
>> Chris was one of the great characters of the US harmonica scene, and he
>> will
>> leave a big hole.
>> 
>> There is lots more to say and I know many others will feel the way I do.
>> RIP
>> Buddha, and keep tootin' wherever you are!
>> 
>> Brendan Power
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Arthur Jennings
> http://www.timeistight.com