[Harp-L] Cutting Contest SPAH

[spahconvention06@xxxxxxxxxxx]

HI Gang,

I want to make some comments on the SPAH talent and how we work through it each year. It starts with space  for 7-9 main acts that will cover all styles of harmonica.  

We look at international acts on the trio side of the harmonica and try and book them early enough so they can work out the details.  This year we wanted Svang which is a very dynamic act from Finland.  They all play in other venues so the convention dates need to be part of an national tour where SPAH is only one of their gigs.  This did not work out.  So the trio side of the convention will be covered this year by The Society Boys who have never played SPAH before and  The Andy Wilson Trio. I'm especially excited about this act.  He plays in a band called Steppin In It out of Lansing Michigan and has been attached to Frank and Bud to play a trio act which Andy has nerver done, but has the chops to pull it off.  Both of these choices will put a great combination of hallway players in the hotel all week.  (Phil C, Bud Boblink, Frank Warner, Shelly, Andy and Tom)  Good hallway playing is what makes a great convention.  With this as a base in the hallways, add Bob Herndon, Jim Lohman
, Danny Wilson, Pete Blasburg, Randy Singer and a bunch of trio players from the Chicago area and place will be jumping.  The trio world is coming out for this one!!!!! Now don't forget one the best harmonica quintets in the world, the  Harmonica Junction.  Yes we have them regularly at the convention but they are worldclass with their wall of sound. 

Ok were down to 7 more acts.  

The Blues Show on Thursday will be on the same time as the Trio night. We decided to try a double show this year.  Last year we mixed the blues acts into other nights and enough complaints were fielded that were trying a double show.  Steve Cohen opens, a great tradtional local Milwaukee player; followed by Adam Gussow from Satan and Adam fame; on to Bruce Kurnow from the Bay area.  Bruce hasn't been to SPAH in years and was delighted to be asked.  His blues chops have always turned heads and with his other muliple skills on piano, harp and harmonetta he'll be fun to have in attendance.  The show closes with the legend Jim Liban.  Jim has honed his harmonica skills right in Milwaukee and comes from the traditional school.  Joe Filisko thinks he's one of the best traditional players ever. Fresh faces, and new names this year. 

The non trio chromatic acts this year will be Randy Singer who crosses over into both worlds as good as any player;  Slide Man Slim, who has never attended a convention,  but will wow us with his sweet CX tone and style; Brendan Power, who is attacking jazz standards with custom tuned chromatics; Jia-Yi-He a classical treasure from New York ; Stan Harper for an afternoon show and the legendary Jerry Adler on Saturday.

Tom Styrker will host a jazz line up this year to give stage time to the best jazz players in the country, Ron Kalina, Bob Herndon, Charles Spranklin, Pete Blasburg and Jim Lohman.  Does this fill the need get regular players up on stage?

James Conway will be our Celtic wizard presenting himself with The Boils, who are all world class Irish players from Chicago. Mike Runyan a variety entertainer will surprise us with what he does best. Come and see!!!

This year we will have three teenagers, Gran Whitson, Julian and LD Miller who will be soaking up what they can from the worlds best and 156 kids in on Friday for the Harp Kid Program (volunteers always needed).  The seniors usally a hundred plus in listen to Herb Eck's Trio's and More on Saturday afternoon

So did I get to  my 9 yet.  Yes. Adding the double show alowed this to happen.  Lots of talented harp players in the world would love to play at the convention and this year were seeing lots of new acts.   This year where mixing things up, by getting players up that would not normally get stage time  and attracting lots of folks that just want to be present like Jason Ricci and Richard Hunter  Joe Filisko's team is second to none in the world for instruction.  There will be 4 sessions that will offer readers, time to play in ensmbles. Seminars of all sorts that you will have to choose between.  So when did you want to try and fit this contest in? With a volunteer to run it and organize it I'll see if I can find a slot. 

Oh I forgot to mention one of our Friday night acts ,Charlie Musselwhite will be coming in a day early to hang out and visit with his harmonica friends. 

See you all soon.

Paul