Re: [Harp-L] Baroque or classical at SPAH

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Aug 18, 2005, at 12:02 AM, Robert (Le Bon Vivant) Bonfiglio wrote:
> I play classical Harmonica Concertos for a living with symphonies all 
> over the world, and yet SPAH does not invite me to their annual events 
> in spite of my willingness to go and to teach.

  I seem to recall (correct me if I'm wrong) that at Memphis 1993, you 
stated that SPAH was too cheap to bring in a back-up orchestra/band for 
you. As my memory serves me, I opened up the open mike playing at 7 pm 
on Tuesday and YOU went on right after me and did several great numbers 
with virtually NO back-up even to the extent that you showed everyone 
that you're a regular guy by doing some blues.

 Let's be serious Robt., I think the key word above is 'SYMPHONIES'. 
This (in and of itself) scared the S**T out of spah (at least in the 
time frame in question). YOU scared the S**T out of spah. Someone of 
your calibre shouldn't have to 'wing-it', and since you are used to 
back-up, you should HAVE back-up. If they won't supply it, they loose. 
We ALL loose.

 Robt. Bonfiglio at open mike? Jeez, that was awfully magnanamous of 
you.
> We don't do Schtik?  Is that it?  It's kind of like having a singing 
> event where the Barber Shop Quartet is what it's about. Who knows, but 
> the people who actually making a living playing the instrument and 
> held high in their respective fields don't seem to be at the top of 
> the list at Spah.

 I think it's just a matter of money.
> Well, Chris had the Harmonica Summit in Minneapolis with all pro 
> players and it proved to me that there were people who took the 
> instrument seriously.

 So, my question would be: Was there a possibility of you doing some of 
YOUR stuff at the summit, or would you have had a hard time because of 
a lack of back-up musicians?

>   So I plan to do my own Seminars and not deal with the politics.

 I can dig it. It's like my wife said "Some people don't need 
spah"..........smokey-joe
> Harmonically yours,
>
> Robert Bonfiglio
> http://www.robertbonfiglio.com
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