[Harp-L] SPAH Wednesday Night Blues Jam - holy smokes

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yeah, Rusty, I was there too. And my first SPAH also.

Anyone who, under any other circumstances, has been in a room with a  
bunch of harmonica players probably experiences the usual fear and  
dread - not of playing poorly but of being subjected to awful  
playing. But I sat there in that circle of what, 40 players or more,  
and with the exception of 1 or 2 beginners everyone who played was  
not just good, but great. 14 year old kids, 90 year old seniors, big  
names and unknowns - everyone had something different  to say with  
their instrument, and said it with great technical expertise and  
wonderful musical feel. There was also tremendous respect and support  
for everyone, beginners included.

I've been walking around listening in the hallways, meeting rooms,  
everywhere - great harp players. It is truly an awe-inspiring and  
humbling experience. Haven't been able to wipe the grin off my face yet!

AND I've had the pleasure of meeting so many of my customers for the  
first time face to face.


Cheers


/Greg

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



From: Rusty Wilson <harpoon_man@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: August 14, 2008 11:31:54 AM CDT
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] SPAH Wednesday Night Blues Jam - holy smokes


Attended my first SPAH blues circle jam last night, and holy smokes,  
those guys are good!  I have read people's descriptions of these jams  
over the years, and not having been to one myself, I always wondered,  
"could those players really be as good as people say?"  Now that I  
have heard them for myself, I can answer the question - those guys  
are EVEN BETTER than advertised!  The tone, techniques, phrasing, and  
musicianship... more than I could have imagined to put it briefly.  I  
won't start naming names because I would leave someone out (and as a  
first-timer, I knew practically nobody), but it was just a room full  
of monster players.

I also enjoyed meeting and sitting beside the hot-playing and highly  
educational Michael Rubin, and it was a treat to meet KC-based harp  
man Jimmie Meade in person for the first time.

It was a blast.

-Rusty