[Harp-L] Harmonica MasterClass Workshop

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wasn't able to attend the entire 3 day workshop this year, but I  
did manage to sneak down on Saturday, take a class from Dennis  
Gruenling and attend the History of the Blues concert. This is a  
concert Dave Barrett has been working on with various people for 3  
years. Joe Filisko did 50+ minutes of absolutely masterful pre-war  
blues - he researched and studied a variety of artists, and presented  
their styles note for note from recordings dating back to the early  
20's. This included a lot of names I forget, as well as Sonny Terry  
and Sonny Boy Williamson (I).  Dave Barrett himself (who is a MONSTER  
harmonica player) spent the next 50+ minutes showcasing post-war  
blues, performing tunes by Little Walter, Big Walter, George  
Harmonica Smith and others. Again, "note for note, technique for  
technique, lick for lick". The School of the Blues band backed these  
guys up in appropriate style as well. The last "set" represented  
modern blues and was performed by Dennis Gruenling. Along the way, we  
were treated to some extra performances by guests Rick Estrin, Gary  
Smith, Michael Peloquin and Kinya Pollard. Not a bad show for an  
evening. It was amazing to watch not only these fine players, but  
also 40 or 50 rabid harmonica playing brothers and sisters all with  
their jaws on the floor throughout the night.

If you haven't had the chance to attend a Harmonica Masterclass  
Workshop, this would be a good one to catch when it is near your  
town. Dave is, in my opinion (and that of just about everyone who has  
ever met him) probably the best teacher of harmonica that the world  
has to offer.




/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com
http://www.bluestateband.net