[Harp-L] Tulsa Harmonica Summit 2008

[David Berntson <bernesto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

/ /


 /Harmonica Summit 2008/


         March 15, 2008


         Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame


         The Jazz Depot

/ /


         111 E. 1st St.


         Tulsa, OK



         Doors Open at 10:00 am


         Admission $10

*Kids under 14 free*
*must be accompanied by an adult*
**
The 2008 Harmonica Summit will feature a diverse program of harmonica 
performances, educational workshops, vendor displays and jam sessions. 
This event is not limited to harmonica players and everyone will enjoy 
this day of celebrating the harmonica and its music. The Summit is 
produced by Jimmy "Junior" Markham and David Berntson, in conjunction 
with the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame <http://www.okjazz.org/>.
The day will start off with a children's harmonica workshop, with 
harmonicas donated by the Blues Society of Tulsa 
<http://www.bluessocietyoftulsa.com/>. Other workshops during the day 
include dynamic presentations by the evening's featured artists, RJ 
Mischo from Fayetteville, AR and Billy Gibson from Memphis, TN. A 
technical workshop focusing on harmonica repair and maintenance will be 
presented by Tulsan Mike Peace. Dennis Oellig, better known as Mr. 
Microphone <http://www.mrmicrophone.com/>, from Kansas City, will 
present a workshop and demonstrations on the art of electric or 
amplified harmonica playing. Rick Potter from Classic Tube Amp Repair in 
Tulsa will be available to discuss custom harmonica amplifier 
modification, fabrication and repair. Gifted guitar player Little Joe 
McLerran <http://www.littlejoeblues.com/> will be on hand all day to 
facilitate a back porch jam session for anyone wanting to play harmonica 
during the day. Harmonica related information tables, as well as 
vendors, will be displayed throughout the event.
The early evening show will feature a who's who of Tulsa harmonica 
players, supported by Tulsa's finest Blues musicians. Following that is 
the showcase event of the evening, featuring RJ Mischo 
<http://www.rjblues.com/>, Billy Gibson <http://www.billygibson.com/>, 
Junior Markham <http://members.cox.net/j.markham/index.html> and David 
Berntson <http://www.crossroadslearning.org/>. Food and beverage service 
is available. This event is open to all ages. Bring your harmonicas and 
come enjoy an entire day dedicated to the "Mississippi Saxophone."


         _Program_

10:00 am *Doors Open* – Registration for Kids Harmonica Class – _Limited 
to first 50 participants_. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

12:30 pm *Blues Harmonica Class for Kids - *David Berntson – Crossroads 
Learning Experience (Library)

1:00 pm *Open Jam Session* –Little Joe McLerran (Café or Outside, 
weather Permitting)

2:00 pm *Blues Harmonica Workshop *– RJ Mischo (Library)

2:00 pm *Harmonica Repair* – Mike Peace (Commons Area)

3:00 pm *Blues Harmonica Workshop *– Billy Gibson (Library)

3:00 pm *Amplified Harmonica Techniques *– Dennis Oellig – DJ’s Custom 
Electronics (Rehearsal room)

4:00 pm Break

5:30 pm *Tulsa Harmonica Showcase *– John Boffer, Steve Corbett, Little 
Sonny Hill, Eric Hinsdale, Stuart Jeffers, Mike Peace, Ricky Preston, 
Rudy Scott, Mike Travelletti (Concert Hall)

8:00 pm *Blues Harmonica Blow-out* – Billy Gibson, RJ Mischo, Jimmy 
“Junior” Markham, David Berntson (Concert Hall)

*_Artists_*

*Billy Gibson <http://www.billygibson.com/> – Memphis, TN *

Billy Gibson first picked up the harmonica at a very young age. Gibson’s 
desire for learning and improving as a musician took him to Clarksdale, 
Mississippi. Like many before him, Gibson eventually left Mississippi 
for Memphis. “Beale Street was my university of blues,” recalls Gibson. 
He has made guest appearances on national recording artists’ CDs 
including Deborah Coleman’s Soft Place To Fall (Blind Pig 2000) and 
Michael Burks’ I Smell Smoke (Alligator 2003). Around the same time, 
Gibson received a BA in music from the University of Memphis. Gibson’s 
career has been a constant progression and immersion into many genres of 
music, with blues being the foundation and primary inspiration of his 
artistic endeavors.

*RJ Mischo <http://www.rjblues.com/> – Fayetteville, AR *

R. J. Mischo began singing and playing harmonica in the Minneapolis area 
in the late '70s. He played with Muddy Waters sideman Mojo Buford, Percy 
Strother, and Milwaukee Slim. His 1992 album /Ready to Go/, won praises 
far and near and still has an unmatched magic about it. Mischo was 
nominated for several Minnesota Music Academy Awards while in 
Minneapolis, and in 1996, he won the award for Best Harmonica Player. 
After living in San Francisco for several years, RJ recently relocated 
to Fayetteville. A prolific recording artist, RJ is currently touring 
the US and Europe in support of his newest release /King of a Mighty 
Good Time/.

* *

*Jimmy “Junior” Markham <http://members.cox.net/j.markham/index.html> – 
Tulsa, OK*

Oklahoma Blues legend and Jazz Hall inductee, Junior Markham is the 
heart and soul of harmonica in Tulsa. He is responsible for bringing 
this Harmonica Summit to life.

* *

*David Berntson <http://www.crossroadslearning.org/> – Tulsa, OK*

Blues Educator and musician, David Berntson is the recipient of the 
Blues Foundation’s <http://www.blues.org/> 2006 Keeping the Blues Alive 
in Education Award.

* *

*Supporting Musicians - *Bob Parker-guitar, Rusty Miller-guitar*, 
*Robbie Mack- bass, Little Joe McLerran-guitar, Ronnie McRorey-drums.

Food and Bar Service Available. Visit harmonica related vendors and 
information tables.

For more information contact David at bernesto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:bernesto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> or Jimmy at jimmy.markham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx