[Harp-L] RE: Update about that harp kid invited on stage with Jason Ricci

[Colin Epstein <colin_epstein@xxxxxxxxx>]

I just had to pipe in after reading Catherine's post.

I got to meet Zach at the Del Mar Jam Camp last
weekend, and it was a blast to see someone so young
working so hard and sounding so good.  At the final
night's concert, he got up there with several
instructors including Michael Peloquin, Jason Ricci
and Nico "Froggy" Fouquet to belt out a rocking
version of the "I Can't Turn You Loose" vamp the Blue
Brothers always used as their intro.  It was like a
horn section, only all harps, with young Zack blowing
away in the middle of it all.  Not bad company for a
kid starting out on his instrument.  He'll be an
instructor at Jam Camp in no time.  A number of us
"older folks" were envious at what a great head start
he was getting.

The Jam Camp itself was a fantastic experience, and I
learned tons in three days of my first actual
harmonica lessons after years of playing.  Seeing as I
started first thing with a one-on-one from Jason
Ricci, then absorbed tons of knowledge and music from
all the great players and my fellow students, and then
wrapped it up by arranging to continue lessons with
the Mighty Mr. Peloquin here in Oakland, I came away
more than glad I showed up.

Two days later I was jamming with friends and doing it
in 3rd position for the first time.  Just having had
Froggy show me what he could do on only holes 4,5, and
6 had clicked a light on in my head about 3rd
Position.  While I have tons left to learn, I feel
like I'm taking a strong first step.

So I recommend Jon Gindick's Jam Camps to anyone
interested.  It's a great supportive atmosphere for
any skill level, and all these top-notch players were
more than happy to help any one out with any question,
now matter how basic.   The way they all shared not
just their knowledge, but their passion for the music
was extremely inspiring.  (I will never forget how
Froggy got the whole room strutting around, blowing
and whooping their heads off) They even carried it so
far as to join students too nervous to get up on their
own at the final night's jam concert, throwing
together duets and such on the spot.  It was a blast
watching Jason Ricci do a sultry version of "I'm Just
a Playboy" with Genoa, a woman student who wiggled him
all over the stage when he was singing and she wasn't
playing.

All in all, great stuff.  I'm more fired up to play
and learn than ever.  And young "Cadillac" Zach just
rocked.

--
Colin

> > From: Catherine Martucci <cathim@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] RE: Update about that harp kid
> invited on stage with Jason
> 	Ricci
> Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 12:22:49 -0400
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> Zach Gaviria is the 10-year-old boy from NJ who
> played with Jason Ricci's
> band in NJ (Mexicali Blues, 7/2005). That night was
> an experience that Zach
> will never forget!  I know the kid personally and he
> was incredibly honored
> to be up on stage next to Jason.  Jason Ricci?s
> talent and unique harp style
> are a constant source of inspiration for the young
> harp player.
> 
> Seeing Jason perform that night was GREAT -- AS
> USUAL!  I highly recommend
> that everyone see Jason play LIVE.  I listen to his
> cd's and music downloads
> regularly and love them all but -- you "ain?t heard
> nothing" until you see
> and hear him LIVE.
> 
> The first show Zach EVER saw of Jason?s (11/11/2004)
> is downloadable from
> Jason?s site at http://jasonricci.com/music.html
> 
> Anyway -- on the night that Zach was invited up on
> stage with Jason (7/22/05
> at Mexicali), Jason recommended that 10-year-old
> Zach attend Jon Gindick's
> Jam Camp.  So this past weekend Zach (now 11) got to
> spend time learning
> from harp masters including Jason Ricci, Michael
> Peloquin, Nicolas Fouquet
> and Gary Allegretto in San Diego, CA.  He learned so
> much from these
> instructors and felt privileged to be involved with
> such a talented group of
> harp students.
> 
> Jon Gindick did an outstanding job delivering his
> seminar and made this very
> interactive jam camp experience fun for everyone! 
> This event, suitable for
> harp players at any level, was definitely worth the
> time and money! You can
> learn about Jon?s upcoming Jam Camp in Texas
> (January 2006) at
>
http://www.gindick.com/Engine/Shopping/catalog.asp?store=6&category=256
> 
> Check out this mini-review of Jon Gindick?s Jam Camp
> and scroll down to see
> a photo of Zack playing with his instructors at
> www.thunderharpmics.com
> 
> By the way, Zachary has only been studying harp for
> only 1.5 years.  He has
> a great teacher in north NJ area named Richy Harps
> who comes highly
> recommended.  If you are looking in this area for a
> local harp teacher to
> give you steady or occasional lessons ? I suggest
> you reach out to
> richyharps@xxxxxxx