[Harp-L] re: blues jazz cross over

[rainbowjimmy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

In the old days, you played any gig you got--hence there was constant  
cross pollination. Johnny Johnson played for Count Basie, then went to  
Chess with an unknown side man named Chuck Berry. Many of the Motown  
musicians also played in big bands, played bop, and played in blues  
bands--real blues bands like with Muddy Waters. You can talk about the  
African influence, but there was also the country western, folk, jazz,  
soul, and the very strong gospel influence--listen to Muddy Waters.  
And of course Brownie McGhee wrote a lot of R and B tunes.

What this means is harp players have to listen to more than just early  
50s Chicago blues. You should listen to everything. You listen to  
Little Walter without listening to Count Basie you're missing stuff.  
Listen to little Walter's guitar accompaniest. Very jazzy. I would  
further add that mixing genres is a tradition and to be a traditional  
harp player we need to starting mixing and matching. Let's do blues  
one drop, blues dub, blues hip hop, blues lounge, and please more  
blues funk.

One last thing--lyrics. I think of blues as a groove, not as lyrics.  
Yes Chuck Berry played a text book blues progression but he usually  
played straight eights ala country western rather than the swing  
eighth that the blues folks use. So when you mix and match swing like  
heck and play a little behind the beat.

Rainbow Jimmy
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