[Harp-L] SPAH 2004 (long but could be longer)

[Mudharp@xxxxxxx]

Days after returning from SPAH the whole thing is still very much a fuzzy 
pleasant blur in my mind but I can say for sure that it was all I expected and 
more. The Blow Off in down town St. Louis on Tuesday night kicked things off 
spectacularly. Jason Ricci and his band gave us a full shot of high energy harp 
driven smokin' grooves followed by several fine guest harp players who were all 
in top notch form. The energy level, intensity and soulfulness of those 
performances was astonishing and will stay with me for quite a while. 

During the rest of the week Jason and many other incredible players were very 
accessible and super generous with their time and knowledge. The amazing 
amount of diatonic talent from both the pros and attendees came with enough 
diversity to turn "conventional thinking" on it's head and back again. The overall 
level of playing by the attendees was the best by far of any harp convention 
I've been to yet. I was humbled and amazed by what I heard in the hallways and 
late night jams. It just goes to show that there are loads of dedicated players 
out there who are carrying the banner of this instrument forward with 
brilliance and originality for the long haul. It really is a brave new world for the 
diatonic (not to slight the chromatic which was also represented in stellar 
fashion). We live in a great time for the advancement of our instrument. 

It's nearly impossible to go into great detail on the professional 
performances during the week, but they were wonderful even with all the stage and sound 
problems that seemed to plague almost every set. Madcat and Maruga full of 
soulful and eclectic polyrhythms, Dennis Gruenling with his swinging melodic 
fluidity, tasteful overblows and tone like a jazz trombone, Michael Peloquin's 
cool jazz blues stylings, Steve Guyger's uncompromising hard edged postwar blues 
purity -- all standouts in the haze of my memory. As fine as all of the 
performers were, I have to site Rob Paparozzi as ~The Man~ when it comes to not just 
great playing but savvy stage presence and gracious showmanship. Rob, if you 
could put it in a can and sell it you'd be the richest man around. 

As always, just hanging out with old and new friends and listening to them 
play was for me the highlight of the event. I'm reluctant to mention more names 
because of those that I may inadvertently leave out, but I'm gonna do it 
anyway. Rob, Rosco, Buzz, George Brooks (jammin like a soul man back in the room on 
some Marvin Gaye in like 15th position), the hilarious and multitalented 
Jimmy Gordon, Tim Moyer, James Conway, Doug Randal (the best player you've never 
heard), Beth "the tone queen" Konen, fjm, Ben Nathanson, Bobbie G. (nice pins, 
girl) and too many others all contributed to what added up to be a fantastic 
experience. Hearing players like Phil Gazell (wow), Jim Quinlen, Mojo Red, 
David Fairweather, Mikael Backman, Ron Shellist and so many others at the jams was 
icing on the cake.  And if ever I met a real flesh and blood troubadour, it 
would have to be Richard Sleigh. Last but by no means least I would be remiss 
if I didn't give props to the man who sits at the eye of the storm, Joe 
Filisko. Joe has arguably done more for this instrument than anyone on the planet, 
not just by what he's accomplished with his custom work and the guild he's built 
around it, but with his incredible ability to draw everyone together in his 
teach-ins and bring out the best in everyone who participates, not to mention 
his unbelievable playing -- a one man vortex for the diatonic harp. 

Five days seemed a bit long at the time but now that it's over and I'm 
looking back on it, it wasn't long at all and seems almost like I dreamed it. Thanks 
to Doug Tate, Paul Davies, et al. for putting together a great convention. 
Here's to spAh with the emphasis on Advancement. Next year it's in KC -- I'm not 
sure I'll make it, but as the time draws near I may start leaning in the 
other direction.

T. Albanese